Fayose to Rivers Gov: “Politics is a Power Game, No One Solves It For You”

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has weighed in on the political crisis in Rivers State, asserting that politics is a contest of power where individuals must navigate challenges themselves.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Fayose reacted to the impeachment proceedings initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu.

He argued that Governor Fubara’s return to office following a state of emergency should have positioned him to act more strategically.

Drawing from his own experience—having been removed from office and gone into exile during his tenure—Fayose said such trials can lead to personal growth.

“The coming back of Governor Fubara should have made him a better person,” Fayose stated. “If you made a mistake the first time, the second time you are not supposed to go through that route.”

Fayose dismissed suggestions that the crisis is linked to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ambitions, insisting that both Fubara and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, will support Tinubu when the time comes.

“Some people are saying it’s about Tinubu’s election. No! Because Tinubu’s election will come first,” he explained. “Both Wike and Fubara will all work for Tinubu. Two weeks after, there will be an election for Rivers State.”

He emphasized that the constitution provides the “rules of engagement” in politics, and stepping outside those rules often leads politicians to seek public sympathy unnecessarily.

“Politics is a power game. Nobody solves the political game for you,” Fayose stressed. “Fubara is the one enjoying the office of the governor of Rivers State. It’s not the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.”

About The Author

Dele Fashomi

Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.

Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.

He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.

Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).

He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.

He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.

Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled:  Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.

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