Real reason Fubara didn't take part in Rivers council election

The Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained the reason Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State did not participate in the recent local government council elections in the south-southern state.

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The local election in Rivers was held on 30 August 2025.

The election was conducted while the then-Sole Administrator of the state, Ibok-Ete Ibas, held sway following President Bola Tinubu’s suspension of Mr Fubara, his deputy, Ngozi Odu and all elected members of the state assembly.

The suspension of the governor and other elected officials of the government followed Mr Tinubu’s declaration of emergency rule in the oil-rich state.

The development was triggered by a political feud between Messrs Fubara and his predecessor, Wike over the control of the political structures in the state.

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the APC won a majority of seats in the 30 August local elections in Rivers State, securing 20 out of the 23 councils, while the PDP won in three.

During the election, Mr Fubara was not seen taking part in the election which fuelled speculations that a fresh truce between the two politicians brokered by President Tinubu might have collapsed.

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Fubara attended engagement at the time

But speaking on Thursday when he appeared as a guest on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Mr Wike said the then-suspended governor had informed him that he would travel outside the state during the election because of an engagement.

READ ALSO: Wike opposes proposed Jonathan’s return as president in 2027, gives reason

“Before the election, the governor travelled. He told me he will not be around (for the election) because his son has this engagement,” the FCT minister said.

He said contrary to claims, Mr Fubara made inputs in all the decisions made on the local election during the emergency rule.

Mr Wike said he personally went to Mr Fubara’s residence to discuss the local election in the state.

“This is what Nigerians should know: The governor wanted to come and see me. I said, ‘No, you’re the governor.’ I drove to the governor’s house by 1 a.m.

“I, the former governor of Rivers State, drove to the governor’s house at 1 a.m. I said, ‘Your Excellency, what do we do?” he stated.

“There’s nothing that was done that the governor wasn’t part of.”