A former Port Harcourt local government chairman in Rivers State, Ezebunwo Ichemati, has dismissed reports that Siminalayi Fubara knelt before his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, during a recent reconciliation meeting in Abuja.
Ichemati described the reports as false and misleading, insisting that Fubara neither begged nor humiliated himself in his ongoing political standoff with Wike.
He said the governor, who did not lobby or prostrate to secure his position in 2023, would not resort to kneeling now just to retain power.
“Someone who did not lie down on the ground to beg or lobby to be governor, cannot also do the same to remain as one,” Ichemati stated.
“Ignore the lies of begging. Even if you be mumu, no be every lie you suppose hear and believe na.”
His comments follow growing speculation surrounding a high-level peace meeting between Fubara and Wike, said to have taken place at Wike’s Abuja residence.
According to political analyst Obiarukwe Ndukwe, during an exclusive interview with TVC News, the meeting was facilitated by prominent political figures, including Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State and former Ogun governor Olusegun Osoba.
Ndukwe revealed that Fubara walked into Wike’s house comfortably, calling it a “familiar terrain,” hinting at the closeness they once shared before political cracks began to widen.
Still, the aftermath of the meeting was quickly marred by reports that Fubara had knelt to beg Wike for forgiveness and support amid increasing political tension in Rivers, a claim Ichemati says was fabricated to embarrass the governor.
“In war, no one party takes all the blame.”
“Genuine reconciliation comes with negotiations and shifting of grounds by all the parties involved, and not begging,” Ichemati added.
In March, President Bola Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, suspending governor Siminalayi Fubara, deputy governor Ngozi Odu and all members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.
Tinubu appointed retired vice admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as the administrator of Rivers State.
