The media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has accused Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, of orchestrating social media attacks against his principal by paying individuals to criticize Wike online. This accusation comes amidst a deepening political crisis in Rivers State, where tensions between Fubara and Wike have been escalating for some time now.
According to reports, Governor Fubara, who has been at odds with Wike, declared on Thursday that he had endured enough disrespect from Wike’s camp and would no longer tolerate further provocations. The statement followed an event where Fubara signed the ₦1.1 trillion 2025 budget at the State House in Port Harcourt. This public declaration of his frustration with Wike’s camp comes as their political feud has grown more intense.
In his remarks, Fubara elaborated on the situation with the defected members of the State House of Assembly, stating that the 27 members who switched allegiance from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) had permanently lost their seats. He asserted that these defected lawmakers, who are loyal to Wike, would not be able to return to the Assembly, a position that further fueled the ongoing conflict. Fubara also dismissed allegations of a factional Assembly, maintaining that the three-member Assembly, led by Speaker Victor Oko-Jumbo, is the only legitimate legislative authority in the state.
[/p]Fubara's comments prompted a sharp response from Lere Olayinka. In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, Olayinka alleged that Governor Fubara had been funding individuals to attack Wike on social media. He warned that the governor had not yet experienced the level of backlash he might face for his actions. Olayinka’s post highlighted the deepening tensions between the two political figures and suggested that Fubara's efforts to undermine Wike’s reputation online would not go unnoticed.
[/p]Olayinka wrote, “From the Judas of Opobo, who has been paying hundreds of people to attack Wike on Social Media since 2023 ooo. Just one month, he don dey lament.” He further added, “Insults wey you neva start to dey see self. Nonsensical nonsense.” These strong words from Wike's aide reflect the ongoing and escalating political drama in Rivers State and suggest that the conflict between Wike and Fubara may continue to intensify in the coming months.
