Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has said he would not have become governor without the support of Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Fubara said on Friday while receiving the New Telegraph Man of the Year Award in Abuja.

Fubara spoke during the award event where he credited Wike for “discovering” him and providing the platform that enabled him to contest and win the 2023 governorship election in Rivers State.

Wike was governor of Rivers State before Fubara and later became a federal minister. The relationship between the two political figures has been a matter of public and political interest, with media attention on developments in the state’s political landscape.

While accepting the award, Fubara dedicated the honour to Wike, noting that the former governor played a significant role in his political rise and appointment as governor of Rivers State.

The New Telegraph Man of the Year Award recognises public figures for contributions in various fields. At the event, Fubara emphasised the significance of Wike’s support in his career progression.

Fubara said that Wike “discovered” him and gave him a platform to contest the governorship, underscoring Wike’s influence in his political journey.

Fubara’s comments align with ongoing public and political discourse about the influence of senior political leaders in shaping political careers within parties and governance in Nigeria.

Statements by sitting governors about their relationships with predecessors or political mentors can influence public understanding of political dynamics ahead of future elections.