Former Nigerian Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi has declared his neutrality in the ongoing feud between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike, refusing to take sides in their political rivalry.
While speaking on a visit to Okorinama West, the APC Chieftain and also the former governor of Rivers between 2007 and 2015, said he would not take sides.
“…a lot of our supporters that can’t stand hunger have joined either Sim or Wike. I will not join them. I will not join Sim, I will not join Wike,” he said.
“But don’t forget, they are not big without you people, I hope you know that. No big man is big without the grassroots’ support. And if you look at the Rivers state political followership, we have more people singing our praises than singing even Sim,”
“What Sim thinks is popularity today is because he is anti-Wike. That is his popularity, not that Sim is the best man that has happened on earth. It is because he is anti-Wike and it is because the state is tired of Wike.”
Related: Gov. Fubara: I am not fighting with the Federal government
Amaechi added that Fubara’s popularity stems solely from his public disagreements with Nyesom Wike over political control in Rivers State, implying that Fubara’s fame is tied to the ongoing rivalry between the two politicians.
Siminalayi Fubara took over as governor in May 2023, succeeding Nyesom Wike, who is now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Initially, Fubara had Wike’s backing during the governorship election, having previously served as Accountant-General under Wike’s administration, but their relationship soured shortly after Fubara assumed office.
Nyesom Wike, who previously served as Chief of Staff to Rotimi Amaechi and later succeeded him as Governor, reportedly built his political popularity on the back of his high-profile feud with his former boss, Amaechi.
