The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged his predecessor, Nyesom Wike not to stay away from him even if he crosses over to other side of the political divide.
The governor said this on Sunday at a thanksgiving reception for Wike at his private residence on Ada-George Road, in his hometown, Rumueprikom in the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
“While we are seeing sign that it’s like you want to go over to the other side with everybody wishing that, please don’t be too far from me because I know that the sharks, the tigers are really around looking for what to hurt.
“So, being around would continue to guide and put my head straight for the purpose of this state,” Fubara said.
His appeal is coming amid speculations that the former Rivers State governor could dump the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike turned his back on his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 general elections, supporting the candidate of the APC, Bola Tinubu, who eventually emerged victorious at the polls.
Before the polls, Wike, alongside four other PDP governors, Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State making up the G5 governors, refused to back Atiku, saying that it was the turn of Southern Nigeria to produce the president after eight years of President Muhammadu Buhari who is from the North-West.
Tinubu scored 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku, who came second with 6,984,520 votes and Peter Obi of the Labour Party, who came third with 6,101,533.
Before his swearing in, Tinubu was invited to River State by Wike for inauguration of projects executed by the former governor.
Wike has also been seen at the Aso Villa several times with some APC members since Tinubu’s inauguration as Nigeria’s President, further fuelling the speculations of him jumping ship.
Many political bigwigs graced Wike’s reception on Sunday, with President Bola Tinubu represented by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
Joining the list of guests at the event were Governor Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), high-ranking APC stalwarts and members of the 10th National Assembly including Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, ex-Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole; ex-Governor of Ebonyi State, Dave Umahi; member representing Borno South Senatorial District, Ali Ndume.
Others are Acting PDP Chairman, Umar Damagum; former Governors Peter Odili (Rivers), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Ayo Fayose (Ekiti) and James Ibori (Delta) as well as all G5 members
