Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said his political career would be destroyed if Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, secures a second term in office.

Wike made the remark on Saturday during a stakeholders’ meeting in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, declaring that a firm decision has already been taken regarding the 2027 governorship election.

“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one [Fubara], no way. Because if we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically. I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again,” Wike said.

The former Rivers governor renewed his open criticism of Fubara following the governor’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last month. Wike accused Fubara of violating the peace agreement that led to the lifting of the emergency rule in the state and enabled him to return to office.

Earlier in the week, Wike said the “leadership mistake” in Rivers would be corrected in 2027 and vowed to disclose details of the peace deal that restored Fubara’s mandate. He stressed that leaders should prioritise the will of the people over personal interests.

“We will not make the same mistake again at the state level in 2027, but we will talk about it later when the time comes,” he said.

Speaking on Friday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, Wike dismissed suggestions that Fubara’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would guarantee his re-election. He noted that he had backed Tinubu long before Fubara joined the APC.

“If you played well with the first one and succeeded, do you think you can succeed with the second one? There cannot be two markets in one day,” Wike said, in a veiled reference to multiple peace agreements.

He added that all his supporters had resolved to work for Tinubu’s success, insisting that the mistakes of the past would not be repeated.

Wike also criticised Fubara’s leadership style, questioning his relationship with local government chairmen, state lawmakers, and members of the National Assembly. 

He further responded to Fubara’s New Year comments dismissing his statements as “noise,” claiming that he made Fubara governor despite his lack of popularity among the people.