Fubara Dedicates Award, Says Wike Discovered Him

Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday dedicated his Man of the Year award to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike, saying the minister played a role in his political rise.

“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it; I also dedicate this award to somebody who also discovered me, not minding the situation, the Honourable Minister of the FCT, my oga, Nyesom Wike,” Fubara said during the New Telegraph Award/Dinner Night in Lagos.

“Without him, I wouldn’t be standing here as governor. He discovered me and it’s a discovery that gave me this loudness. Thank you for everything,” he added.

Fubara also spoke about leadership and political pressures, noting what some critics describe as “weakness”.

Fubara Dedicates Award, Says Wike Discovered Him — Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Nyesom Wike. Credit: BusinessDay

“Some of these pains, some persons describe them as weakness, while others say it as being strong, but I choose for a lot of reasons to be weak. Weak, because I want peace. Weak, because we need to survive. Weak, because I need to also protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation,” he stated

He also said, “Weakness is a virtue. It pays at the right time.”

Fubara and Wike have been involved in a prolonged political dispute in Rivers State. Fubara, a former Accountant-General of Rivers State, was widely regarded as Wike’s political protégé ahead of the 2023 governorship election, emerging as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with the backing of the former governor.

Author

Jimisayo Opanuga

Jimisayo Opanuga is a web writer in the Digital Department at News Central TV, where she covers African and international stories. Her reporting focuses on social issues, health, justice, and the environment, alongside general-interest news. She is passionate about telling stories that inform the public and give voice to underreported communities.