Fayose: Tinubu Won’t Get Rid of Wike for Fubara — He Values Loyalty
Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, says President Bola Tinubu will not sideline Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in favour of Siminalayi Fubara as a means of resolving the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV, Fayose said Tinubu places a premium on loyalty, political strength and influence, arguing that these factors make it unlikely the president would sacrifice Wike’s position or standing to appease Fubara.
“Let me say this to Nigerians: the Asiwaju that I know, the president of Nigeria that we know, will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara,” Fayose said.
According to Fayose, Wike’s longstanding political relationship with Tinubu, combined with his influence within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his role in the federal government, gives him an edge in the president’s calculations. He noted that Tinubu is known for standing by loyal allies, especially those who have demonstrated political weight and resilience.
The former Ekiti governor also suggested that the Rivers crisis is rooted in deep political realignments rather than personalities alone, warning that any expectation that Tinubu would abruptly drop Wike to stabilise the state misunderstands the president’s political style.
Fayose urged political actors in Rivers State to seek dialogue and internal reconciliation, stressing that sustainable peace would not come from external pressure on the president but from compromise among the key stakeholders involved in the dispute.
