RIVERS: Fubara Thanks ‘Oga Wike’ After Supreme Court Victory

The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has thanked his former boss Nyesom Wike for his support following the Supreme Court verdict which upheld his victory in the March 18, 2023 governorship election.

Acknowledging the support received, Fubara extended his gratitude to God for assistance and President Bola Tinubu for his role in addressing the internal political crises that rocked his administration barely months in office.

Notably, the governor expressed appreciation to his former boss and current Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, despite their current political differences.

Recall that candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Patrick Tonye-Cole, and the Allied People’s Movement (APM), had challenged Fubara’s victory but their petitions failed both at the Rivers State Governorship Election Tribunal and at the Court of Appeal.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court similarly dismissed the petitions for lack of merit.

Fubara and Wike fell out barely five months after the latter was sworn into office. Their feud stemmed from Fubara’s alleged attempt to tamper with the “political structure” put in place by Wike, on which platform Fubara’s election victory was attained.

In a press statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Boniface Onyedi, said the court’s decision has put to rest the legal challenges that had tested his administration’s focus over the past eight months.

“About an hour ago, the Supreme Court revalidated our mandate in the election. It is a victory for the entire State,” Fubara stated, calling on support for his administration.

Fubara urged all stakeholders, irrespective of political affiliations, to join hands in building a competitive Rivers State.

He envisioned a state comparable to Lagos in terms of prosperity and competitiveness and called for unity to achieve this shared goal.

“We have a dream of making it a highly competitive State that will measure, if not up to Lagos but close to becoming like Lagos. We can only achieve this in an atmosphere of peace,” Fubara said.

“So I am calling on everyone, not just on our internal issue but those members from other parties, the issue is settled, come and let’s build the Rivers State of our dream,” the governor added.

Governor Fubara assured the public that his administration would continue to protect and provide the basic needs of governance for the people of Rivers State.