The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated clearly that he has no intention of interfering in the appointment of commissioners or other government officials in Rivers State as Governor Siminalayi Fubara resumes office after six months of emergency rule. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Wike dismissed widespread speculation that he would influence appointments in the state or dictate to his successor. According to him, it would be wrong and unnecessary to impose any candidates on the governor, stressing that Rivers State would not collapse if he refrained from doing so. He insisted he had no nominees and would not recommend any names for Fubara to consider.

Wike explained that even if the governor reached out to him, his role would be purely advisory, urging Fubara to govern independently while ensuring continuity of progress in the state. He added that his only expectation is for his successor to build on the achievements already in place and not allow development efforts to decline. Reflecting on his own tenure, Wike expressed pride that Rivers State had been positioned to compete with Lagos in terms of infrastructure and governance, and he hoped the governor would advance that progress.

On Governor Fubara’s absence from Government House despite the lifting of suspension, Wike clarified that there was no legal requirement for him to resume immediately. He argued that a governor’s schedule is not dictated by public assumptions and that Fubara had the right to decide when to formally return to office. For him, speculation about the governor’s delay was misplaced since leadership cannot be reduced to rigid timelines.