Wike Dismisses Clark’s Accusations

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to allegations made by elder statesman Edwin Clark, who claimed that Wike is leveraging his relationship with President Bola Tinubu to intimidate Rivers State Governor, Sim Fubara.

Addressing the media during a briefing to mark his one year in office as FCT Minister, Wike refuted Clark’s assertions and emphasized that facing crises is an inherent part of leadership.

“I don’t know the party Chief Clark belongs to, but in 2014 when I came out to run, he said no because it’s the turn of the Ijaws,” Wike recalled. “He said nothing will make me to win but to the glory of God I won.”

Wike further stated, “I wasn’t a bad person when I championed for an Ijaw man to be governor but I have become a bad person because there are issues. There is nothing Clark has not said but I vowed never to respond.”

Clark had previously penned an open letter to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national leadership, urging them to expel Wike over his ongoing dispute with Governor Fubara. He accused the minister of attempting to destabilize Rivers State through his actions against the governor.

Responding to these claims, Wike said, “He spoke about southern President which I supported, he spoke about power rotation to the South; which I believed in. So, what crime have I committed?”

Highlighting the inevitable challenges that come with leadership roles, Wike added, “In leadership, everything must not be smooth; I had my own crisis when I was there. Did I blame anybody? I faced the crisis squarely. When I was there you all saw what the Federal Government did to me. Did I accuse any ethnic group? No.”

He concluded by advising Governor Fubara to confront and manage the current issues head-on. “If you are in a leadership position, you should be able to stand and face the crisis, that’s what politics is all about. Sometimes it will be good and other times it won’t be rosy,” Wike asserted.

The tension between Wike and Fubara has been escalating over control of political influence and resources in Rivers State, drawing national attention and sparking debates within the PDP and beyond.