Former lawmaker and President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator John Mbata, has fired back at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments on Rivers State politics, declaring that “there is only one governor in Rivers State” whether he likes it or not.
Mbata made the remarks during the 2025 Eneka Day Celebration in Obio/Akpor local government area of the State on Tuesday, which was attended by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
“There is only one governor in Rivers State, whether you like it oo, you don’t like it oo. If you like, shout from now till tomorrow,” Mbata said to the loud cheers of the crowd present, in an apparent response to Wike’s recent political statements about political leadership in the State.
Recall that earlier on Tuesday, Wike had stirred controversy during a visit to Khana local government area, where he told supporters that Rivers people would not repeat “past political mistakes” ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We won’t make mistakes again. The first one you have done, have they said thank you?” Wike asked the crowd, which chorused in response, “No!”
“So, if you make another mistake, that means they will drive you out,” he added, suggesting that residents must choose wisely in the next election cycle.
Though he did not mention Governor Fubara by name, political observers interpreted the statement as a veiled attack on his successor, with whom he has been locked in a prolonged political feud.
The rift between Wike and Fubara, once close allies, has dominated Rivers State politics since 2023. Their fallout led to a deep division within the ruling elite, triggering a constitutional standoff that saw parts of the state administration paralysed and Fubara temporarily suspended amid a state of emergency declaration by President Bola Tinubu.
The crisis further escalated after Governor Fubara defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December, a move seen as a political masterstroke aimed at consolidating his hold on power.
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