By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has welcomed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara back into his political camp, declaring that the reconciliation would strengthen support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Fubara had been locked in a prolonged political feud with his predecessor and political benefactor, Wike, before recently announcing his return to the political family that brought him to power.
Wike stated this while fielding questions form journalists on Tuesday after inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja,.
He said politics was about building alliances, not harbouring grievances, insisting that Fubara had no other choice than to return.
On whether Fubara had been forgiven after months of political disagreements, Wike dismissed the suggestion that political differences amounted to wrongdoing.
The minister added that the renewed alliance would boost efforts to deliver Rivers State for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike inspected the long-delayed ISEX Road project, awarded in 2014, describing it as one of the last major inherited infrastructure projects yet to be completed in the FCT.
He described the project as critical to Abuja’s development, saying discussions with the Federal Ministry of Finance would continue until the required funds were released.
Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace of work on the ISEX Road, saying that construction commenced immediately after President Tinubu flagged off the project during the third anniversary inauguration of key infrastructure projects across the FCT.
“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him. I have now been informed that he has made that declaration publicly, and we welcome him,” Wike said.
“Our doors are open. Everyone is welcome for us to work together. There is no better alternative. We will all work together to move the state forward.
“In politics, there is no sin. If someone realises they made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that. Politics is not a sin. What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and making the right decision.
“He has publicly stated that he has returned to where he started, and we receive him with an open mind. There is nothing to hide. We will all work together to ensure that we deliver the votes President Tinubu needs for his re-election.
“This road was flagged off during the third anniversary commissioning. We came here today to assess the progress made since the flag-off, and as you can see, the contractor moved to site immediately after the ceremony.
“I believe them. They are committed to handing over this project by December. We will be very happy because this road will open up the entire area for development.
“We have appealed to the Minister of Finance because the project is already captured in the national budget. If part of the funds is released, the contractor will be able to meet the deadline,” he said.
