Lere Olayinka: Fubara Is Weak, Should Prostrate Before Wike Who Controls Rivers

Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, has boldly asserted that his principal effectively controls the political structure in Rivers State, describing Governor Siminalayi Fubara as politically weak and urging him to submit to Wike.Speaking during an interview on Channels Television's The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Olayinka claimed Wike holds sway over key institutions, including the local government councils and the state House of Assembly. He argued that if Wike truly dominates these structures while Fubara is governor, it exposes Fubara's lack of strength and grip on power.“If you are a governor and you cannot control any structure in your state, then what kind of governor are you?” Olayinka questioned. “If another person is controlling your structure, it means that person is stronger than you politically.”He escalated the rhetoric by stating that Fubara should “prostrate” and “do twale” (a slang term for showing deep respect or submission) before Wike. Olayinka emphasized, “If I am a minister and you are a governor, but I control the assembly members, I control all the local governments, literally the entire political structure... then you should come to me and prostrate.”The comments come amid the longstanding rift between Wike, a former Rivers governor who handpicked Fubara as his successor, and the current governor. Tensions have escalated over control of the state's political machinery, including recent impeachment threats from the Rivers House of Assembly, which Olayinka attributed to the lawmakers themselves rather than Wike. He suggested Fubara knows what steps to take to avert impeachment if he chooses.Olayinka also defended Wike's influence, noting that the Rivers crisis is Fubara's to resolve, as he is the sitting governor, not Wike.The provocative statements have ignited widespread reactions on social media and in political circles, with critics accusing Olayinka of arrogance and normalizing interference in state governance, while supporters see it as a candid reflection of power dynamics. The ongoing feud continues to dominate Rivers State politics, raising concerns about stability and governance in the oil-rich region.

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