- Fayose also recalled advising his own successor in Ekiti State to maintain cordial relations with former Governor Kayode Fayemi, regardless of past disagreements
- According to him, many governors only rise through the backing of political leaders who paved the way for them
- the Rivers State House of Assembly has begun impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, accusing him of gross misconduct
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has urged Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to seek reconciliation with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, warning that prolonged political confrontation could worsen the crisis in the state.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Fayose gave the advice during an interview on ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, where he said political power is often built on collective support and loyalty, not personal strength.
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According to him, many governors only rise through the backing of political leaders who paved the way for them.
Commenting on the ongoing power struggle between Fubara and Wike, Fayose stressed that humility and wisdom are essential for political survival, especially for leaders who benefited from political mentorship. He noted that confrontations with political benefactors often end badly for those in office.
Drawing comparisons, Fayose cited Kogi State as an example of political calm, attributing it to the governor’s respectful relationship with his predecessor. He said political stability is sustained when leaders remember those who gave them opportunities and avoid unnecessary rivalry.
Fayose also recalled advising his own successor in Ekiti State to maintain cordial relations with former Governor Kayode Fayemi, regardless of past disagreements. He said such counsel helped prevent political isolation and conflict, adding that many politicians fail because they exploit power rather than manage it wisely.
Addressing the controversial “001” title in Rivers politics, Fayose warned Governor Fubara against challenging Wike’s dominance within the state’s political structure. He argued that while constitutional authority comes with office, political influence is earned over time and should not be openly contested.
According to Fayose, it is not in Fubara’s place to dispute Wike’s standing as a political leader in Rivers State, noting that the reality of power dynamics is widely understood among political actors.
The former governor directly appealed to Fubara to prioritise peace, urging him to make genuine efforts at reconciliation rather than symbolic gestures aimed at easing tension. He warned that many advisers encouraging confrontation would abandon the governor if his position became threatened.
Fayose further cautioned that recent developments, including impeachment threats, should serve as a lesson, stressing that political survival requires learning from past mistakes.
He said emergency interventions had temporarily protected Fubara but might not always be available.
He concluded by advising the Rivers governor to respect constitutional processes while also acknowledging political mentorship, insisting that humility, dialogue and compromise remain the safest path to stability in Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State House of Assembly has begun impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara, accusing him of gross misconduct.
The allegations include the demolition of the Assembly complex, unauthorised spending and defiance of a Supreme Court ruling, as the political crisis in the state continues to deepen.
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