The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed that some Ijaw leaders, particularly from the Kalabari ethnic group, opposed his decision to support Siminalayi Fubara as Rivers State governor because he is from Opobo.
According to him, he was confronted that if he wants to make someone of Ijaw origin the governor of Rivers, it shouldn’t be someone from Opobo, who are not regarded as real Ijaw people.
Wike said but for his benevolence Fubara stood no chance of ever becoming the governor of Rivers State.
The former Rivers governor stated this during an interview with journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, saying the Ijaw people in Rivers State did not appreciate his kind gesture.
“Out of our own benevolence we allowed it. I said, gentlemen, we are working as a team.
“When people do something to bring everybody together, you appreciate it. In fact, when I bought this governor, they said, no, if you are talking about Ijaws it should come to the Kalabaris if you want to give governor to the Ijaws and not Opobo. You see the problem?
“But you closed your eyes and you did it. All those who fought me, who said, ‘no,’ we can’t accept this, now parade themselves around him, hanging around him, taking his money,” Wike said.
