The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed calls for reconciliation from ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, stating that the suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has not sought forgiveness.
Responding through his media aide, Lere Olayinka, Wike emphasized that forgiveness requires the offender to first acknowledge their wrongdoing and request pardon.
“As Christians, let’s now assume that Fubara has offended the minister, do you forgive someone who has not come to you to seek forgiveness?” Olayinka questioned.
Tompolo had earlier urged Wike to “bring his temper down for the good of all,” stressing the need for peace and dialogue amid the political crisis in Rivers State. “Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all… Fubara will return to his seat,” Tompolo said in his appeal.
Wike’s aide, however, clarified that the minister has not accused Fubara of personal misconduct, but of straying from governance principles. “The minister has never said that Fubara offended him personally. He only said that Fubara should govern in accordance with the rule of law and not abandon those who helped him become governor.”
Olayinka also criticized Fubara’s alleged shift in loyalty, stating, “When did Wike become somebody that Fubara would be so bold, telling him that he would deal with him? He should ask himself questions like this.”
In a proverbial tone, he added, “You are begging a doctor to provide medicine for someone that is sick, but you are not begging the person that is sick to take the medicine. What happens?”