The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reconciliation appeals from former militant leader Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, stating that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has yet to seek forgiveness or acknowledge any wrongdoing.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike emphasised that forgiveness is only meaningful when the offender takes responsibility and requests pardon—something Fubara has not done.
Tompolo had earlier urged Wike to set aside his grievances and make peace with Governor Fubara for the sake of stability in Rivers State. “Just like I would not accept rebellion from my son, I also won’t cause more problems. Wike is angry, but he must calm down for the good of all. We will have a dialogue and resolve all lingering issues. Fubara will return to his seat,” Tompolo said.
Responding to Tompolo’s call, Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, expressed scepticism.
“There’s no offence to speak of. Forgiveness only comes into play when someone personally offends you and then seeks pardon,” Olayinka said. “Assuming, as Christians, that Fubara has indeed offended the minister, has he come to ask for forgiveness? The first step is admitting the offence. Fubara has not taken that step.”
Olayinka clarified that Wike’s position is rooted in governance concerns, not personal animosity.
“The minister has never claimed that Fubara offended him on a personal level. He only emphasized that Fubara should govern within the rule of law and not abandon those who risked their lives and resources to make his governorship possible. That’s not a call for personal reconciliation—it’s a matter of principle.”
Olayinka also questioned Fubara’s changing stance toward Wike.
“He should reflect deeply. During the time they worked together, when Wike was taking bullets on his behalf, Wike wasn’t a bad person. So at what point did he become someone Fubara could openly say he would ‘deal with’? What changed?”
“It’s like asking a doctor to prescribe medicine for a sick patient, but failing to convince the patient to take it. What’s the result?”