During the burial ceremony of the late Access Bank Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, on Saturday night in Rivers State, Senate President Godswill Akpabio found himself at the center of attention as he came to the defense of FCT minister Nyesom Wike.
The occasion, which marked the interment of Wigwe, his wife, and son following a tragic helicopter crash in the US, drew a crowd of political figures, business magnates, industry leaders, as well as friends and associates of the bereaved family.
Despite the solemn atmosphere permeating the gathering, Akpabio, often noted for his outspokenness, seized the opportunity to rebuke Governor Siminalayi Fubara over his statement implying that nothing is worth the struggle in life. Fubara, addressing the audience, questioned the motives behind the conflicts among the political class, prompting Akpabio to respond, seemingly interpreting it as a veiled reference to his ongoing feud with Wike over state control.
Akpabio’s retort quickly gained traction on social media platforms, with many Nigerians criticizing him for escalating a dispute that wasn’t his to begin with. In his rebuttal, Akpabio recounted a past incident where he was urged to resign from a seemingly insignificant political position due to its lack of power and resources, emphasizing his willingness to fight for it nonetheless. He urged Governor Fubara to reconsider his stance on struggles, highlighting the importance of perseverance in pursuing one’s goals.
The former Minister of the Niger Delta, currently embroiled in controversy over allegations of budget padding in the 2024 Budget, has been identified as an ally of Fubara’s predecessor, Wike. The power struggle between Fubara and Wike for control over Rivers politics has escalated into a crisis, despite attempts at intervention by President Bola Tinubu. Governor Wike recently expressed his willingness to step down if it would restore peace to the state.
