As political tensions continue to simmer in Rivers State, Ikenga Chibike, the Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, has revealed personal insights into Governor Siminalayi Fubara, emphasizing their long-standing relationship and shared history in Government House.
Speaking during a live interview on TVC News, Ikenga stated, “I know Fubara very well; he’s my friend. We worked together in Government House under Wike.” The remark, made in the context of the ongoing political fallout in the state, underscores the complex web of personal and political alliances shaping the crisis.
According to Ikenga, his past working relationship with Governor Fubara dates back to the administration of former governor and current FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. “We were all part of that same system. That’s why this whole breakdown is painful to watch—it didn’t have to come to this,” he said.
The Rivers APC spokesman stressed that his criticism of the current administration is not rooted in personal grievance, but in concern for what he described as “a betrayal of the political structure that brought Fubara to power.”
“The truth is, this crisis didn’t start in Abuja—it started right here in Port Harcourt, when the governor began sidelining the very legislature that helped stabilize his government,” Ikenga explained. “There is a misconception that Fubara is fighting only Wike. No, he’s fighting the institution that made his emergence possible.”
He insisted that despite personal fondness for the governor, loyalty to party and principle must come first. “My friendship with him doesn’t blind me. Politics is about systems, not sentiments. When the executive shuts out the legislature, there must be consequences.”
Ikenga also hinted that reconciliation is still possible—but only if all sides are willing to return to the foundation they once built together. “I knew him when we were staff under Wike. That humility, that discipline—I still believe it’s in him. But the voices surrounding him now are pushing a different narrative, one that promotes conflict rather than resolution.”
Addressing the role of the APC and whether the party would welcome Fubara into its fold, Ikenga was cautious. “Politics is dynamic, but we’re not desperate. The governor must align with our values and processes. Friendship alone isn’t enough.”
He further reiterated that peace in Rivers State must be built on inclusion. “You can’t ignore Amaewule’s legislature. You can’t ignore the APC or the grassroots. And you certainly can’t sideline the political structures that helped shape this administration.”
Ikenga’s remarks paint a picture of a deeply fractured political family—bound by shared history, yet torn apart by power struggles and competing loyalties. As Rivers State edges toward a crucial September deadline for reinstating democratic governance, it remains to be seen whether personal ties like the one between Ikenga and Governor Fubara can become the bridge to lasting peace—or merely a footnote in a deepening divide.
