The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has stated that suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has not apologized to him, which is a prerequisite for him to consider offering forgiveness.
Wike, through his media aide Lere Olayinka, explained that forgiveness can only be considered if the wrongdoer acknowledges their actions and seeks forgiveness.
This statement was in response to a plea from Niger Delta ex-militant leader, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, also known as Tompolo, who urged Wike to forgive Fubara, his former political protégé.
In a recent statement regarding the Rivers State crisis, Tompolo stressed the importance of restraint and unity, calling on Wike to put aside his anger for the overall well-being of the state.
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“And just like I will not accept rebellion from my son, I will also not cause more problems. Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all. We will have a dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again Fubara will return to his seat,” Tompolo said.
Asked for his response to the call by Tompolo, Wike, through his aide, “There is no offence. It is when somebody has offended you personally that you are talking about the person seeking forgiveness or whatever. 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, emphasising the process of reconciliation, added, “The person who has wronged you must first agree that in his mind he has wronged you. Let’s assume that Fubara has offended the minister, has he come to seek forgiveness? I’m not saying there is an offence and there should be forgiveness but he has not even come for forgiveness.”
According to Olayinka, Wike maintains that he has not accused Fubara of personal misconduct. Rather, he has simply emphasized the importance of adhering to established 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 that Fubara should not throw away those who risked their lives and resources and that is not too much to ask. He said, ‘Those who worked to make you governor, don’t throw them away like that’. So, that is not about forgiveness. If there is one person Fubara would say he has offended, it should be the President.”
He also raised questions about the governor’s altered stance towards Wike, pointing out that Fubara had previously worked in close association with him.
“He is the one to go for soul-searching because throughout the time he was working with this same Wike, throughout the time Wike was facing the bullet for him, Wike was not a bad person then. So, at what point did Wike become a bad person to him? He should ask himself. When did Wike become somebody that Fubara would be so bold, telling him that he would deal with him? At what point? He should ask himself questions like this.”
Waxing proverbial, Olayinka 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?”
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