Ikoawaji Drops Bombshell: “Wike Should Act Like A Real Godfather To Fubara!

Elder statesman of Rivers State, Asukewe Ikoawaji, has described the political standoff between Nyesom Wike and Governor Siminalayi Fubara as an internal feud within their political circle, insisting that it does not reflect the interests or involvement of the people of Rivers State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Speaking during an interview with Arise News on Wednesday, Ikoawaji dismissed the notion that the rift between the former and current governors represents the voice of Rivers elders or the general public.

“This issue has nothing to do with the people or the elders of Rivers State. It’s purely a political family affair. Every political family has its own internal problems,” Ikoawaji stated.

He explained that the leadership of Rivers State has, since 1999, remained within a particular political bloc, and the conflict between Wike and Fubara stems from unresolved internal disagreements within that group. According to him, had the matter been handled privately and amicably, it would not have escalated.

“If they had chosen to resolve this issue as a family matter, none of this would have become a public crisis. Business is thriving in Rivers State; life goes on as usual. So, where exactly do the people come into play here? That’s the question many are asking,” he noted.

Ikoawaji also attributed the lingering political tension to a broader issue in Nigerian politics—the overwhelming control state governors exert over party structures, particularly when choosing their successors.

“In this country, governors are overly concerned about who takes over from them. The political parties are too weak to stop them, and when problems arise, they often refuse to step in and resolve them,” he said.

Commenting on Wike’s claim to be Governor Fubara’s political godfather, Ikoawaji criticized the former governor’s approach, saying he failed to act as a true mentor or father figure.

“If Wike claims to be Fubara’s political godfather, then he should treat him like a son. But since he hasn’t done that, it now appears as though Rivers State is in crisis,” he remarked.

On PDP Defections to APC

Ikoawaji also weighed in on the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a controversy that was eventually settled in court. He implied that the PDP’s inability to manage its internal affairs is a reflection of broader structural weaknesses within the party.