Rivers governor credits ex-mentor Nyesom Wike for his rise, frames restraint as leadership strength amid political tensions

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dedicated his New Telegraph Man of the Year award to his predecessor and political benefactor, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, acknowledging him as the man who “discovered” his leadership potential and paved his path to the governorship.

Fubara made the emotional tribute during his acceptance speech at the New Telegraph Awards and Dinner Night held on Friday, February 13, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. The governor used the platform to reflect on the sustained political turbulence in Rivers State and his controversial choice of restraint in the face of mounting pressure.

Addressing critics who have branded his approach as weakness, Fubara said his actions were deliberate and rooted in a higher purpose—peace, survival, and national stability.

“Some of these pains, some persons describe them as weakness, while others say it is being strong, but I chose, for many reasons, to be weak,” he said. “Weak because I want peace. Weak because we need to survive. Weak because I also need to protect those things that are dear, not just to me, but to our dear nation.”

He went further to redefine leadership strength, insisting that patience and self-restraint are often misunderstood virtues.

“Weakness is a virtue. It pays at the right time,” the governor declared, drawing applause from the audience.

Fubara also expressed deep appreciation to his family, the people of Rivers State, and loyal supporters, commending their “support, quietness, and maturity” through what he described as a period of “special pain.”

In a moment that has since ignited intense political debate, the governor openly dedicated the award to Wike, despite their widely reported political rift.

“I do not care how you interpret it or misinterpret it,” Fubara said. “I also dedicate this award to somebody who discovered me, not minding the situation—the Honourable Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike. He discovered me, and it is that discovery that gave me this loudness. Without him, I wouldn’t be standing here as governor.”

The remarks have been interpreted by many as a signal of further rapprochement between the two leaders, coming on the heels of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent mediation efforts at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Wike has since expressed confidence that the latest intervention would be the final one, praising President Tinubu’s “fatherly” role in resolving disputes involving the Rivers governor and the State House of Assembly.

Reinforcing this reconciliatory tone, Fubara recently referred to Wike as “My Oga” while inspecting the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, crediting the former governor with conceptualising the landmark infrastructure initiative.