|By Adejumo Adekunle-
Former Rivers State governorship candidate, Hon. Warigbani Ezekiel, has fired back at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and his press officer, Lere Olayinka, describing their recent comments as baseless, misleading, and desperate attempts to drag Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s name into disrepute.
In a strongly worded response to a statement issued by Olayinka on May 3, 2025, which blamed Governor Fubara for the disruption during the First Lady’s empowerment event in Port Harcourt, Warigbani dismissed the accusation as “ridiculously shameful” and “childishly thoughtless.”
The controversial event at RUI Centre, GRA, Port Harcourt, hosted by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu under the Renewed Hope Initiative, witnessed a protest by some Rivers women. The women reportedly rejected an attempt by Mrs. Theresa Ibas — wife of the state’s caretaker administrator — to address them from the First Lady’s podium, citing breach of protocol and lack of official recognition.
Warigbani argued that the women’s action was a spontaneous defense of democratic principles and institutional integrity, not a politically orchestrated move by Governor Fubara. “Fubara had nothing to do with the protest. The women acted independently, asserting that only the wife of an elected Governor, not an unelected appointee, should speak on such a high-profile platform,” he stated.
He praised Fubara’s record as Governor, highlighting prompt salary payments, long-delayed staff promotions, full pension settlements, and financial transparency — including the public declaration of the state’s N28 billion monthly IGR. Warigbani contrasted this with Wike’s tenure, which he accused of suppressing workers’ rights and concealing state revenue.
“Fubara left over N300 billion in the state’s coffers and funded grassroots Easter celebrations, all without borrowing,” he said. “This is a man who governs with integrity, unlike Wike, who ruled with ego and intimidation.”
He described Wike’s repeated attacks as failed propaganda that only burnishes Fubara’s growing reputation for peace and accountability. “Wike and his press aide need a wake-up call — Fubara is not a man of mischief. He is calm, committed, and respected by the people.”
Warigbani urged Rivers people to ignore what he called “a wasteful press release,” claiming it was filled with “worthless ideas written during a useless time on worthless paper.”
“Wike is the dross,” Warigbani concluded. “Fubara is the gold.”
