Fayose Warns Fubara: Don’t dare call yourself Rivers ‘001’

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has issued a warning to Governor Sim Fubara over his self-declaration as the “001” of APC in Rivers State, cautioning that overstepping party hierarchy could invite serious political repercussions.

Speaking on the ongoing feud between Governor Nyesom Wike and Fubara, Fayose drew lessons from his experience in Ekiti politics, stressing that loyalty, respect, and understanding who provides opportunities are crucial in party leadership.

“You can’t sack Wike from Rivers politics. You can’t sack me from Ekiti politics,” Fayose said. “Three years ago, Governor Oyebanji, who was contesting at the time, visited me to seek my support. I didn’t go to him. He came to me, and that’s a line of wisdom from Oyebanji.”

He highlighted that his intervention with President Bola Tinubu during Oyebanji’s APC struggles illustrates the importance of political protocol and respect. “Leadership is a creation of some people, and it is not for just anyone to contest that,” Fayose added.

Directing his comments at Fubara, Fayose questioned the governor’s assertion of supremacy in the state’s party hierarchy. “There’s a difference between the office of the governor and the state’s 001. Who gave you the platform to be calling yourself 001? It is a sad narrative for Governor Fubara to be struggling,” he said.

Fayose also drew parallels with his guidance to Oyebanji regarding former Governor Fayemi in Ekiti. “I told Governor Oyebanji that whatever former governor Fayemi must have done to you, don’t speak ill of him. If it was other people, they would have taken advantage of the situation,” he noted.

The former governor’s remarks serve as both a warning to Fubara and a broader lesson on political discipline, hierarchy, and the consequences of overstepping bounds within the APC. Fayose concluded by reaffirming that experience, loyalty, and respect for party elders are essential in avoiding political backlash.