Kinsmen of the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Chief Nyesom Wike, have passed a vote of confidence in the administration of the governor of the state, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and endorsed him for a second term.

The Eneka people in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state, the LGA of Wike, also said the FCT minister is no longer governor of the state, noting that the hollowed office of the state is solely occupied by Fubara.

The endorsement was announced on Tuesday at the 2025 Eneka Day Celebration, held at State Primary School One, Eneka, with the theme “Unity: Our Strength for Progress.”

The event attracted community leaders, traditional rulers and residents from the eleven communities that make up the clan.

The spokesperson for the clan, the Chairman of the Community Development Committee, CDC of Eneka, Mr. Lawson Chukwu, reaffirmed the unwavering loyalty and support of the people for the Governor.

Chukwu commended the administration for its development efforts in the area and appealed to the governor to give attention to the construction of the community’s internal roads.

Chukwu further requested the upgrade of the Eneka traditional stool from second-class to first-class status, noting that such recognition would further strengthen the cultural heritage and unity of the people.

Also, the political leader of Eneka Clan and President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Sen. John Azuta-Mbata, declared that the people of Eneka recognise Siminalayi Fubara as the only Governor of Rivers State.

Mbata promised the Governor of the clan’s continued friendship and support, describing the relationship as firm and unbroken.

Governor Fubara in his response, expressed appreciation for the endorsement and the show of unity by the Eneka people.

He assured the community that his administration would prioritise the restoration of a considerable number of their deteriorated internal roads, many of which, he noted, were damaged by heavy-duty during the construction of flyovers.

The Governor promised a significant and reasonable intervention to improve road access within the clan and enhance the quality of life of residents.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, on Monday dismissed claims that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has become the leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, following the governor’s recent defection to the ruling party.

Wike also said that the recent defection of Fubara from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) came too late and without any political structure to strengthen his new party ahead of the 2027 elections.

Wike, who spoke at a media parley with journalists in Port Harcourt, explained that party leadership is determined by operational structure at the ward level and not by political office.

“Every member registers only in his ward, and that party authority flows from that structure.

“There is nothing like 001 in the state. You register in your ward, and your local government is in your ward. Everybody registers in his own ward. You could be the first person to register, but not in the sense that by becoming governor you automatically become leader of the party,” Wike stated.

He acknowledged that, in principle, governors often lead their parties in their states but insisted that leadership is not conferred by office alone. “Leadership is not because I am a governor. You must have something that makes you a leader,” he added.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, told Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, “Supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not guarantee you a return ticket for the 2027 governorship election.”

Wike made the remark at the weekend during a visit to Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

Wike and Fubara have been locked in a fierce struggle for political control in the state, a conflict that plunged Rivers into a prolonged crisis.

The standoff culminated in the burning of the State House of Assembly complex and, later, the declaration of a state of emergency in the state by President Tinubu.

The crisis also led to the reported defection of 27 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers loyal to Wike to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a development that sparked several court cases…

Earlier this month, Governor Fubara defected from the PDP to the APC after meeting President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

He later announced his defection at a meeting with government officials at the Government House in Port Harcourt, pledging his support for the President. Fubara’s defection came days after some members of the state assembly had joined the APC.