In a media parley with TVC from 1:27:19, Wike confirmed a recent meeting with Fubara. “Yes, he came. He (Fubara) came with two governors. Unfortunately, the two governors are APC governors,” he stated.
The minister described the encounter’s tone as conciliatory. “So, I will not pursue him, and he said he wants peace, and I said fine, I want peace,” Wike explained. “What that means is there is an open window for you. Take the necessary step to show really that you want peace. Indeed, this is a self-inflicted injury. Does he need it? He doesn’t need it.”
Wike revealed how a group of state governors, known as the G5, initially attempted to mediate the crisis. “When this thing started, I called him,” he said. “Seyi Makinde was there, Ortom was there, Ikpeazu was there, Ugwuanyi was there, and we sat him down.”
The minister recounted their initial warning to Fubara. “Look, this thing is not food for you. God has given you this thing; don’t allow people to push you,” Wike quoted himself as saying. “They are telling you to act like a governor, and we know nobody is taking that from you, but don’t forget that people laboured day and night for you.”
Wike addressed rumors about his motivations, dismissing claims that he was attempting to extract money from Fubara as governor. “All I have said is don’t abandon people who have toiled day and night for you,” he stated. “They said oh, Wike is trying to demand money from him.”
The minister also criticized media platforms, particularly Arise TV, alleging that their programming was intentionally escalating tensions. “Programs and interviews were being held to harden the heart of Governor Fubara towards him who brought him to power,” Wike claimed.
Concluding his remarks, Wike highlighted the broader political consequences of the ongoing dispute. “At the end of the day, none of them have been able to help the governor who now has a strained relationship with the legislature in the state,” he observed.
