Fubara: ‘Fayose Can Not Come To Rivers And Tell Us What To Do’ – Enyi

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday, faulted Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, over his declaration as “001” in the All Progressives Congress (APC) membership register in his ward, questioning the basis of such a claim amid the lingering political crisis in the state.

Fayose spoke on Arise Television, drawing a comparison with the political structure in Lagos State. He argued that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu does not lay claim to being the political leader of Lagos, insisting that such authority resides with President Bola Tinubu, a former governor of the state.

According to Fayose, political leadership in states with entrenched power blocs is not determined by formal office alone.

Commenting on the Rivers crisis, Fayose maintained that President Tinubu would not sacrifice the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for Governor Fubara.

He suggested that national political realities would shape the outcome of the power struggle in Rivers, rather than claims of party hierarchy at the ward or state level.

Rivers APC Fires Back

Reacting, the Chairman of the APC in Rivers State, Emeka Beke, in an interview with Vanguard, dismissed Fayose’s remarks as uninformed and baseless.

“Fayose is not from the state, and he cannot be talking on issues concerning the state and its leadership. Fubara is the governor of Rivers State and he remains the 001 of APC in the state,” Beke said.

He added, “Fayose is not from Rivers State, and he is not a member of the APC. He does not know what we are saying.”

Also reacting, the Coordinator of the Initiative for Transparent Strategy and Good Leadership, Chizy Enyi, accused Fayose of speaking to protect the interests of his ally, Wike.

He urged the former Ekiti governor to stay away from Rivers politics, saying Fayose should concentrate on maintaining his relationship with Wike and leave Rivers State politics alone.

He said, “With all intents and purposes, Ayo Fayose cannot be correct. Fubara is the governor of Rivers State, hence he is the leader not just of the political party he belongs to, but also the leader of the state in all ramifications

“Fayose cannot come to Rivers State to tell us what to do and what not to do. When he was governor, he was the leader, and now that he is no longer the governor, somebody else is the leader in that state.

“Just like President Tinubu is the leader in Nigeria, assuming he is not the president, he won’t be the leader. So, Fayose is just pondering on a rational belief that he is saying A and doing B. And the irony of it is that Godfatherism does not work in Rivers State.

“That has also not been applied. Hence, Wike cannot be the first to start Godfatherism. You may be instrumental in helping somebody to a position. Nobody can be made a governor or president by an individual. It must be a collective effort. Because the election that brought or will bring the person is not an event, it is a process. And inasmuch as it is a process, people participate in those processes.

“My advice is for him to concentrate on how there will be development in Rivers State and Ekiti State, and not who is the leader or not the leader. I’m advising Fayose to continue to maintain the relationship with Wike but allow peace to reign in Rivers State, knowing that we are all part of the state.”