Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara has made it clear that his ongoing battle is not with the Federal Government, but rather with what he describes as a “rat in the house” – a veiled reference to his political adversary, Minister Nyesom Wike of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Fubara’s assurance came during the commissioning of the Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo road in Eleme, where he used a metaphor to explain the situation.
However, there’s a metaphorical rat in our midst that’s depleting our resources. We’ve taken measures to address this issue.”
“If we are fighting the Federal Government, it’s a different matter,” Fubara said. “We are talking about the Federal Government that is giving us some support, but there’s a rat in the house that is eating the bag of garri. So, you can imagine such a situation, but we have now set the Otapiapia to finish the rat.”
The governor’s statement is the latest development in his protracted feud with Wike, which has been marked by a struggle for political control of Rivers State. The rift has had significant consequences, including defections of state Assembly members and the emergence of factional Speakers. Despite efforts at presidential intervention, the issue remains unresolved.
Fubara has previously expressed concerns that the state is overburdened by the debt profile left behind by Wike’s administration. In response, the governor has vowed to constitute a committee to probe Wike’s administration, signaling a deepening of the political divide between the two leaders.
