Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described the ongoing political rift between Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as “spiritual.”
Fayose made the claim on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television, recalling remarks he said he made at Fubara’s inauguration in 2023, where he cautioned the governor against falling out with Wike.
According to Fayose, he warned Fubara that confronting his political benefactor would attract serious consequences, which he described metaphorically as “seeing spirits.”
He explained that the warning was issued during a series of events surrounding the transition of power in Rivers State, including a farewell luncheon for Wike and a welcome dinner for Fubara. Fayose said he used the opportunity to caution the new governor about ingratitude, external influence, and political betrayal.
Fayose said he advised Fubara to guard against individuals who might mislead him and strain his relationship with Wike, stressing that such conflicts could persist indefinitely given Wike’s political history.
Despite early efforts by President Bola Tinubu to intervene and calm tensions between the two leaders, Fayose noted that hostilities resurfaced during Wike’s recent 17-day visit to Rivers State.
During that period, Wike reportedly warned that Fubara might not secure a second-term ticket, even after defecting to the All Progressives Congress, APC, and supporting President Tinubu.
Fayose maintained that the developments validated his earlier warning, insisting that the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State reflects deeper, non-material forces at play.