*Opt Out Since Your Spirit Already Left, Wike’s Aide Advises
THE suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, said he was not desperate to return to office.
Speaking at the service of songs held in honour of the late elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, in Port Harcourt, the state capital, organised by the Rivers Elders Forum, on Sunday, May 11, Fubara, in a somewhat shocking statement in reaction to the numerous protest in the state, especially by women, in support of his reinstatement.
However, he said: “Do you even know if I want to go back there? My spirit has already left there. Can’t you see how better I look? Do you think I am interested in it?”
While distancing himself from such protests, which he described as personal opinions, the governor said such comments and actions were not likely to promote peace, adding: “Not everything is by oshogbe,” indicating his preference for a more strategic and less confrontational approach to the ongoing political crisis.
He cautioned that some of the actions of some of his supporters, though well-intended, had only worsened his situation, urging those at the event to focus on the achievements of Clark, who lived a selfless life advocating for the Niger Delta region and not make it about politics.
Rivers State has witnessed unending political crisis due to disagreement between Fubara and his political godfather nd current Minister of the Federal capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike, leading to the declaration of emergency rule in the state and suspension of elected political structure for an initial six months, including the governor, his Deputy, Mrs. Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly by President Bola Tinubu on March 18, and appointment of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas as Sole Administrator.
It was not suprising, therefore, that Wike’s media aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, swiftly reacted to Fubara’s comment. While painting a picture of a failed marriage, Olayinka advised the governor to simply opt out since his spirit already left.
In a post on his X handle, Olayinka wrote: “It is not really compulsory to stay in a marriage your spirit already left. Simply opt out legally.”
