How Powerful Is WIKE? FUBARA Stepdown: A Genuine Sacrifice For Unity or Surrender To Supreme Power?

Added: 2026-05-21

[00:00:00]The political drama in River State has taken another dramatic turn. This morning we focus on the decision of Sim Alai Fubara to withdraw from the APC governorship primary election in River State. In a personally signed statement, the governor said his decision was not out of fear, weakness or surrender but a sacrifice for peace, unity and the progress of the state. But many Nigerians are asking deeper questions, especially after months of political tension, power struggles, and the public fallout between Governor Fubara and his former political ally in Yum Wiki. So ladies, what are your thoughts on Governor Fubara's withdrawal? Do you believe his explanation or do you think this is finally a case of him bowing to the political influence and control of Minister Wiki? Do you see him defecting to another party? What do you make of the prolonged political drama that has defined his tenure so far? And at the end of the day, what does all of this mean for the people of River State moving forward? You can also join the conversation and call us on 02016352013 or 0924163440.

[00:01:13]Twitter us at TVC Connect using the hashtagyout TVC. You can also watch on DSTV channel 164 and stream live on YouTube. Hm.

[00:01:24]Sim Fubara [sighs] has finally decided to step down >> after all the chaos, after all the issues, after everything he went through in River State. Who would have thought that finally he would decide to throw in the toil? Do you think the pressure was just too much on him uh to cope or you just think at some point he decided to just um I don't think I want to stress myself going forward with this? Do you think that's what happened exactly?

[00:01:59]>> The writing was on the wall.

[00:02:02]>> Hi.

[00:02:03]>> The writing was on the wall in the primaries. All the supporters failed to qualify. The three House of Assembly members failed to qualify the primary not even >> going to the main election.

[00:02:16]>> Then they said there were about 32 [clears throat] people that were supporting him. All of them failed to qualify. Is that not writing?

[00:02:23]>> That's the hand. So what I need to know is the power that Wiki ws because Wik is controlling two parties.

[00:02:35]>> You're asking >> reverse APC.

[00:02:37]>> Mhm. and general DDP.

[00:02:41]>> Mhm.

[00:02:42]>> Ah, >> a strong man.

[00:02:43]>> That is a strong man.

[00:02:46]>> This a strong man.

[00:02:48]And it pains my heart. [laughter] >> Ah, that is a strong man.

[00:02:53]>> It pains my heart.

[00:02:56]>> That he's a strong man. Not that he's a strong man, but that he's so powerful >> that he has he has cut short as a politician.

[00:03:10]>> Don't cut him.

[00:03:12]>> And that one don't like trouble.

[00:03:15]>> He does not like trouble. He was over >> he did not bag.

[00:03:21]>> It's not that he doesn't like trouble because he he was given trouble at first.

[00:03:25]>> Fell shots.

[00:03:26]>> Yeah. He he wasn't powerful enough for >> Wiki.

[00:03:29]>> He he had not consolidated.

[00:03:31]>> If he had waited maybe this second term now if he had been doing Yes. Yes. It's the same telling you >> pap eat pap.

[00:03:44]So if he had eaten pap now maybe he will be going for second term and then he can now show and he would have gathered enough support >> in the ps because I think the people of rivers actually like him. Yes, they do.

[00:03:59]They not just strong enough to put him there, >> you know. So, >> he has just he he he said something. He made a statement. I was even looking for it in the paper so I could read [clears throat] it out word for word.

[00:04:11]But >> what he said was the hunter that goes into the forest.

[00:04:17]>> It's only the hunter that goes into the forest that knows what he saw there. He can't come out and say what he saw in the forest. So he has been into the forest and he can't say what he has seen. So it's better he just hands up.

[00:04:31]>> Mhm.

[00:04:32]>> Say I go >> I not do again. I >> I think him and um Jonathan are the same. Are they not the same tribe?

[00:04:41]>> No no no Jonathan Bsa state he's from but the same >> they the same.

[00:04:46]>> Okay. You mean >> they have some? Yeah. uh the area is just the state that so maybe they're just peaceful people >> but he tried he he tried he tried at first >> mayor be to differ on that piece >> yes I don't know how [laughter] he forgotten that somebody broke down a whole state house of assembly and destroyed him and say that the place is old [clears throat] so I don't know if I'll call far a peaceful person I just think that he just got to a point where superior powers just he just realized that he didn't have that much power. Wik obviously you know from what we we have seen has some sort of backing >> from the top people in in APC as well.

[00:05:33]>> He's fighting PDP. I mean everybody has left PDP because of of [laughter] >> and then in APC Fubara carried him somewhere [clears throat] to APC hoping that he may get a form of covering.

[00:05:45]>> Yes.

[00:05:46]>> But also as we know I think Wick has shown us over the years that he's that sort of person if he means you even the heavens >> if he if he has you in his sight >> that's in his >> and he has him in his sight. I mean we came addresses people every week for media whatever to discuss this matter >> you know so um money for that >> I think that Fubara just met someone he's fighting with someone that's just much bigger than him politically who has um more more influence more resources support so >> it's just it just happens but I think the lessons just many lessons to learn from here If Fubra had fought this and won, people would say there's a way you can do it and snatch yourself away from godfatherism and things [clears throat and cough] like that. But since he did not win, it will also be like a message to many politicians coming up. When you are with a godfather, >> just tow the line. Don't ever get to the point where you think, you know, I'm going to show you who is better now because we've now been given an office.

[00:06:52]>> Consolidate and you made promises. You agreed that this is a partnership. when you get here this is what I want you to do you agreed and then the moment you get there you want to decide that I want you governor all of a sudden you now remember democracy it was not dem it was not a democratic process that got you that place and then you get there you're now deter saying no I am for the people no you cannot do that >> you don't remember a a ki governor >> he told people his staff he say if I give you an order >> and Former governor Bellow gives you an order. Obey him. Do obey me.

[00:07:31]>> H >> wisdom.

[00:07:33]>> You see >> that happy?

[00:07:37]>> Yes. [laughter] >> I want to see in second drink it.

[00:07:44]>> Yes.

[00:07:44]>> So I think personally I just want to learn personally >> I would like to see this sort of politics just fizzle out. Yeah, I don't think it serves us, you know. Um because sometimes you have someone who can do the best for us >> or for his people or for his country or for his but because there are other powers just determining how he moves or how she moves they not able to do their job properly. Um somebody that's not elected, somebody that is not part of it is able to determine. No, no. I think we should find ways to finally veer off.

[00:08:19]But I don't think Nigerians themselves are ready for that because when somebody tries to fight the godfather we say he's not eating humble pie when person is trying to fight for us like no I'm standing for free and fair we say no the person is not playing politics and then culture has a role to play as well >> and then when they play politics doesn't benefit us >> culture is part of it culture plays it role and everything go ahead >> so I I think from the very beginning when he was elected he didn't play the game well you understand he missed it at some point. He just he was supposed to have started doing all. So me for me this politics you just need to build you need to build the structure first.

[00:08:58]>> Get the love of the people and all of that so that when you are now going to fight that >> godfather or whoever that puts you there >> the people will be on your side. But when you don't have the people and then it's just the godfather the godfather will mess you up. He will definitely mess you up. So for me has really tried.

[00:09:17]I don't think stepping down I don't know whether it's the right thing but he has really tried but he came down [clears throat] from his high horse and decided that he wanted to do whatever it is that they wanted wanted him to do.

[00:09:28]>> First of all he the suspension he went on suspension he came back he went to see the president he did everything tried came down and then joined APC. So you can tell that he really really tried on his own to play you know whatever it is whatever game that they want wanted him to play and he did it well and then but I think what's happening is that immediately he joined the APC when he saw that it was going to be like a kind of like would I say puppet move or maybe they will just be you know controlling him and he feels no I can't do this you know you can't control me >> he's not leaving politics is he >> he's not leaving politics from >> but >> what was his antic he was made governor political for something they have.

[00:10:11]>> No, no, no. He he was he was working for account.

[00:10:18]>> So your your call to political fame is through this godfather when you step and now you are on the outs with him.

[00:10:26]There's nothing really left.

[00:10:27]>> So I have a question here. Is it possible that it was him joining the party that he got the advice to step down? the party could have tried to resolve the issue to say okay right now step down from this >> we'll give you something later >> you know is it possible that could have happened >> now the second question is do we really have power as a people because you talked about the sort of change we should be looking toward where we somehow gradually fade off this godfatherism but we cannot do that if the people do not have power do we have because I know that in river states.

[00:11:03]>> These people love Fubara.

[00:11:04]>> They do.

[00:11:05]>> The people love Fubara. The people want Fubara. The people are tired of alleged tyranny of Wiki. They're tired. They say it.

[00:11:14]>> And we saw how the people also galvanized to support Fubara. But their power was not enough >> for the political big wigs to still do what they wanted to do. So do you think the politics are playing that the power lies in us? All this democracy for the people. Are we lying to ourselves that we have the power?

[00:11:33]>> I I don't know. I'm just reading a a message on YouTube here. It says Wik succeeded in fighting Amichi. Amiti was wik's godfather.

[00:11:41]>> Mhm.

[00:11:42]>> Yes.

[00:11:42]>> And people supported Wik >> then when he was fighting Amichi and he fought Amiti to his personality to join.

[00:11:50]He's a fighter >> allegedly.

[00:11:53]So maybe have the strong if he had personality. I I I don't know where.

[00:11:59]>> But do we have the power as a people?

[00:12:03]>> I think how was >> I think when we get offset I will tell you one where we have the power.

[00:12:08]>> We we we do we do. I think to a large extent we do have power. It's just that how to exercise it. A lot of them are really scared to exercise those kind of powers. you don't have and I saw in a message there's a message that has been circulating [clears throat] around um Twitter where they said that the reason why because mainly he joined the APC that's Fubara when he joined APC that all the all the other governors were just rallying around Fubara and because of that because of that um Wik got a bit like look this guy they giving him all the love it's going to weaken him >> so that was why he said yes so he has to move him and you know >> so wik the hold he has on that river state is a very very strong one to break it.

[00:12:51]>> I think Wiki just understands how to play the how to play Nigerian politics.

[00:12:55]He understands that at a certain point [clears throat] there are some people you need to hold. Even with his fight against um Amichi at the time we heard that he had formed some form of alliance with the then wife of the president.

[00:13:07]>> Do you understand? Um that was patient Jonathan you know. So there has to before you fight someone make sure that you have built relationship with people who are bigger than the person that you're trying to fight so that they support you. only you and the Nigerian people the way it is structured right now we can shout and scream and whatever but there's there's some >> when they finally meet in those special places when regular Nigerians decisions are made there >> but you had asked a question that maybe the step he took it could actually be sitting down with these powers that be and they say you know what for now step aside >> because there are two things I can see there there are two things that could have happened I would WIK is such a big you know force >> um um and um at the federal level he has built relationship and maybe even given in in some sort of way to the APC.

[00:14:05]>> Yeah. and you not want to destroy that completely and then yet seeing a Fubara who you not want to throw away. You can say to him, "Okay, for now step aside, we'll work something out so that you're still in politics. You're still important. you're still relevant or else it'll be a [clears throat] total out and then there's nothing left for you >> unless unless the president >> gives him something left to wik [laughter] >> left wik alone unless he president says are you come let me help you if he's not that >> nothing for >> nothing even if he apologizes to wiki over and over >> he doesn't apologize Someone said it here. He apologized at some point but still >> still you you didn't hear some of wicked utterances.

[00:14:58]>> He went around and he didn't stay in Abuja. He went around all over rivers every day giving speech about Fubara. I said country you know had warned him now when they were inaugurating him. He said don't fight whatever you do in this life.

[00:15:12]>> Go fight with you.

[00:15:14]>> You don't remember.

[00:15:15]>> He said it publicly. He said don't fight weak tail.

[00:15:18]>> You don't remember >> you do >> when didn't pick him as his running mate because that was the beginning of article's rules when didn't pick >> him as everything scattered from that point.

[00:15:31]>> Ah he just waited didn't talk cuz he was annoyed that um the one in Tabua stepped down for a he just looked and he had just gone to go and donate money to that time. Yeah.

[00:15:45]>> So he just looked at it. You don't >> you don't betray me. Okay. You now waited pick me as a [laughter] running mate. Now let's >> I think we look out. No, let me go and pick because the day he announced the Okawa like this >> that was the end. That was the end.

[00:16:06]>> The beginning of the end.

[00:16:08]>> Ah [clears throat] he started working again. Ah. And our president.

[00:16:13]>> But wait, how did he start? Did it just read the writing of the wall? [laughter] >> I went to go visit him before.

[00:16:19]>> So how wait how did he amass this sort of power in the political space?

[00:16:24]>> And I know that even our president has such powers as well.

[00:16:29]>> Yes, he does. He's able. is one president I know that is able to bring all the parties together and everybody is aligning right and Wiki has this powers and it seems like two of them are in tandem like the president respects Wiki and Wiki respects the president how did they get leave the president first we understand but how did Wik get this sort of powers where when he speaks people are shaking >> can I answer you >> answer me please >> pop [laughter] M >> where the president is concerned he has eaten pap >> eating pap he has walked too he has worked >> he have worked but pap so he will just I just hope that one day doesn't look the president likes and say okay I get power pass you ah [laughter] >> it's true >> he's he's he's that smart he's capable >> he's that smart >> wow >> he's that smart he's a politician I always like people who play the game well yes we play the game well we have suspect but let him not be no but let him not extreme as this. You understand?

[00:17:31]Yes. Let's not be as extreme as this because of course you are letting you are getting somebody off >> the you know radar as in that somebody has even come down >> godfatherism in politics. I don't approve of it. I'm sorry.

[00:17:44]>> I mean this is so we need to be honest about power. Our power is not gladly and softly handed to you. You have to rest it off someone and those people who are able to move up the ranks of power understand it. That's why I was saying earlier when you were talking about this part that you need to understand when to apply pride and when to eat it when to be when to show your power cuz wicked is showing fara powers. You cannot be humble in this situation because it will for him it will mean >> political disrespect and then that mean small fries will also want to try. So he shows his power >> it will almost look like this is such a small thing. Why are you using all your might to fight this is because it's not just for Fubara not for today president but even for those who recognize this power who have more power than him right now they understand that okay this person has the ability so they are also playing a particular game with him. As they say, it's a game everybody is playing and then in the end it's who outwits the other that become the bigger power.

[00:18:48]>> So he's [clears throat] while he's doing it >> the people that have more power than him go are watching.

[00:18:53]>> Watching him seeing his tactics >> and they're taking notes.

[00:18:57]>> Yeah. [laughter] >> So he should be aware of that too.

[00:19:01]>> He should be aware because he has fought to a standill and is very quiet.

[00:19:06]>> He ring the political is in NDC. He wants to come out. I'm not president.

[00:19:11]>> No, he's in ADC. Sorry. ADC.

[00:19:15]>> This kind of power can intoxicating.

[00:19:17]It's not.

[00:19:18]>> No, but he worked. You see, you see the truth is that he worked for it like he did.

[00:19:22]>> I don't know what he did on that ground like the ones he did when he did things with with patients and all of that. He started from there now. People that want to ground. Yeah. So people who want to who have target there's there's something he's after. He has an ambition. I hope you all know that.

[00:19:39]tomorrow.

[00:19:39]>> Exactly. So Rama to put his plot.

[00:19:44][laughter] >> So he's just putting everything in place.

[00:19:50]>> It is well let's take it from the man the myth the legend. [laughter] >> Mike Sam one says is worth doing a research on Wik's political strategy.

[00:20:05]>> Mhm. M >> okay so somebody said it's unfortunate to me >> okay >> his strategy sorry you want to read it okay so he said it's unfortunate that Nigerian politics could be this messy having a single person deciding democratic affairs of two major political parties this level of politics >> he's too crude and arrogant yes now you know he's not PDP APC >> in fact he has made PDP the half it's not more than one >> you know there two major political parties that is one of [laughter] >> for PDP join together.

[00:20:45]>> Ibrahim Min here says the reason Tibu is able to have such power is because he has something that other politicians don't have. Tinu is such a generous politician and has impacted lives of many politicians. So maybe >> I think there's another thing that people don't talk about is patience.

[00:21:00]>> Jonathan, right?

[00:21:01]>> No, I'm talking of the president.

[00:21:02]>> Okay. He's patient.

[00:21:04]He takes time. He waits. He waits. Thank you so much, ladies. Oh, that's all we can take.

[00:21:10]>> Can I just read this one?

[00:21:11]>> Show to give us.

[00:21:12]>> Um, he says, "Why?" I think Oh, let me put on my glasses so I can read it.

[00:21:17]Well, >> now [laughter] um maybe she says, "Why can't Nigeria just allow free and fair political atmosphere? It is really sad how dirty it is. These people don't fear God and see and seem to forget that they will die one day." Yeah, >> I think that you know please allow free and fair even in case >> let the people have a say and let ordinary people be able to even buy these forms 50 million like me now if I want to be president now 50 million >> why do you want to be president my own money my life is >> why do you want to be president affordable this is another hot topic want to go just kidding your your dreams are valid Yes, I can be the president.

[00:22:06]>> If they sell it at 1 million, [laughter] >> give us chance to everybody. Thank you so much. We wish them all the best and we're looking forward to one day we sit here and discuss the beauty of free and fair election across board in our country. And that's all we can take on the show today. Join us tomorrow for another one. Bye-bye now.

[00:22:32]>> [music] >> Heat. Heat.

[00:22:47]Heat. Heat. N.