Rivers Politics: How Uzodimma Brokered New Deal For Fubara’s Second Term + Why Wike Threatened To Reveal Agreement Reached

Ahead of 2027 general elections, the stranglehold of FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in Rivers State politics seems to be wanning.

Investigation revealed that some powerful interest within the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, who are not comfortable with Wike’s rising influence have expressed it to President Bola Tinubu the need to reduce his overbearing influence of the FCT Minister in Rivers politics which is his bargaining power.

Newsnowonline.com.ng Investigation further revealed that the opportunity for those who hate the gut of Wike in the APC came when the governor of Imo State and chairman of the Progressives Governor’s Forum , Hope Uzodimma discovered to his chagrin that Wike was allegedly busy working in his state to present the Secretary of his faction in the Peoples Democratic Party, Sam Anyanwu to succeed him in 2028.

Immediately, Uzodimma got the information he moved swiftly and held a series of meetings with the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to quickly join the APC and have the opportunity to free himself from Wike’s influence. The icing on the cake for Fubara was the second term ticket dangled before him by the Uzodimma’s group, which wield so much influence in the ruling APC.

The move by Uzodimma is seen as a masterstroke to unsettled Wike and take Rivers from him ahead of 2027 general elections.

Again, this was contrary to agreement earlier reached that Fubara would not be seeking a second term after 2027, a fact, he ( Fubara) alluded to when he told his supporters after the Abuja’s agreement that it might not be too favourable but that’s the only option open for his survival in the present circumstances.

In fact, most of his supporters were sad by the development. But after Uzodimma brokered a favourable deal with Fubara, even his supporters in the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State led by former national chairman, Uche Secondus and others such as former Governor Celestine Omehia and former deputy speaker Austin Opara were excited by the new deal.

Those in the know said Wike and his group were jolted when the news got to them.To further displayed that the Uzodimma’s new deal is sacrosanct , the visit of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi and his counterpart in the Enviroment ministry, Balarabe Lawal to Fubara in Port Harcourt lent credence to the new deal. During the visit, Ribadu delivered President Bola Tinubu’s message to Fubara that “he is happy with Fubara’s leadership.”

Fubara on the other hand seems to have regained his mojo lashing out to the FCT Minister at will. For instance, shortly after his defection to the APC , he uttered a statement that they ( his group) would follow Tinubu straight and will not engage in ‘corner corner’ aptly referring to the FCT Minister who claims to be in the PDP and working for the second term of President Tinubu.

Also, on the New Year Message to Rivers people, Fubara also used the opportunity to lambast Wike that it’s those who don’t have power that ‘barks’ referring to Wike’s press conference in Port Harcourt followed by statements by the FCT Minister during his visit to several local governments in the state as a show of force that he’s still in charge. Fubara’s confidence seems to have been boosted by the support from the Presidency.

Wike, on the other hand, has rubbished the 001 APC membership card issued to Fubara, adding that it won’t guarantee his second term.Wike also drawing comparison with Lagos and Rivers states politics asked rhetorically during the live television interview who the leader of the APC in Lagos is despite having Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu as APC governor. Wike, assuring his guests that since President Tinubu is the leader of the APC in Lagos State, he’s the leader of the party in Rivers State irrespective of Fubara ‘s movement to the APC , adding that ‘to every rule there’s an exception’.

The FCT Minister has also threatened to reveal the agreement reached with Fubara fueling speculations that he’s doing that to remind the powers that be of earlier agreement reached. And that may have been responsible for his new refrain ‘agreement is agreement’. Wike also maintained that he supported President Tinubu when it was difficult to do so.

The exchange between Fubara and Wike may further escalate in the new year after the state lawmakers which are believed to be loyal to the FCT Minister rejected the N100,000 Christmas gift sent to them by Fubara which they described as “unsolicited and unapproved”.