Lere Olayinka, media aide to Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has said his principal remains firmly in control of the political structure in Rivers State.
Olayinka made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Morning Brief, a Channels Television programme, where he described Governor Siminalayi Fubara as politically weak and unable to assert authority over the state’s political machinery.
According to him, Wike controls both the local government and Rivers State House of Assembly structures, arguing that this reflects Fubara’s lack of political strength.
Olayinka said it was unacceptable for a sitting governor to lose grip of the legislature, adding that Fubara should acknowledge his weakness and seek reconciliation with the former governor.
He claimed that Wike, despite serving as a minister in Abuja, still commands the loyalty of the majority of lawmakers in the Rivers assembly, leaving Fubara with only a few supporters who no longer attend legislative sittings.
Olayinka further argued that any governor who cannot control the political structure of his state cannot be regarded as politically strong, insisting that whoever controls the structure remains the dominant political force.
He also dismissed claims that Wike is behind moves to impeach Fubara, describing the situation as a matter of political strategy rather than external interference.
According to him, if the governor wants to avoid impeachment, he should focus on political negotiations instead of appealing to public sentiment, noting that understanding political realities is key to political survival.
