FCT Minister Nyesom Wike (left) and his political godson, Governor Simi Fubara of Rivers State
A socio-political group, Concerned Rivers People (CRP), has alleged that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, engaged social media influencers in a bid to tarnish the image of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued and signed by the group’s Director of Communication, Robinson Uke, who claimed that the use of bloggers and online influencers by public officials to shape political narratives has become commonplace in Nigeria.
According to Uke, CRP is aware of what he described as “deliberate moves” by Governor Fubara to discredit the FCT minister before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
> “Bloggers engaged by public officials to influence politics in Nigeria has become the norm as we are aware of deliberate moves by Fubara to denigrate the hardworking FCT minister before Mr President,” Uke stated.
He, however, noted that the alleged strategy did not fully succeed, as some influencers reportedly declined the offers made to them.
> “This obviously will not fly as we are also aware that some bloggers equally turned down mouth watering offers declaring that the minister has not in any way attacked the Rivers Governor either directly or indirectly,” he said.
Uke explained that Wike’s public position on the Rivers political crisis has been consistent and limited to urging Governor Fubara to respect existing agreements.
> “All the FCT minister has said is that an agreement is an agreement, Fubara should swallow his pride and respect the agreement,” he said.
He further accused the Rivers State government of spending public funds on social media campaigns without legislative approval.
> “This he has not done yet he is lavishing hard earned tax payers money of the state on social media influencers across the country without an Appropriation Act to back his spending,” Uke alleged.
The CRP spokesperson argued that such actions raise serious ethical and governance concerns.
> “This development raises ethical concerns, as it undermines transparency and accountability in governance,” he added.
Uke also referenced the broader national response to sponsored online content.
> “The Nigerian government has responded by demanding approval for sponsored posts, citing concerns over misinformation and manipulation,” he stated.
The group went on to commend bloggers who, according to it, refused to participate in the alleged smear campaign.
> “We want to specially thank those bloggers who are standing by the truth and refused to be used by the drowning Fubara who has betrayal flowing in his DNA,” the statement read.
Concluding, CRP offered a parting remark directed at the Rivers governor.
> “To Fubara we wish him the best of luck in his political sojourn as an African proverb says a child who refuses to allow his mother to sleep, the child too will not sleep.”
