Fubara: Wike Asked Me to Withdraw From Governorship Race Because I Was Stubborn—Pidomson

Gabriel Pidomson, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, has recounted how he was asked to withdraw from the governorship race in favour of Siminalayi Fubara ahead of the 2023 general elections.

Pidomson disclosed this during an interview with SYMFONI TV, where he spoke about his political career and his relationship with Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Reflecting on his political journey, Pidomson revealed that he first contested for the Rivers State governorship seat in 2014 against Wike but failed to win the election.

He explained that between 2017 and 2019, he supported Wike’s administration and contributed to the establishment of the Wike Solidarity Movement, a political group that promoted Wike’s projects when he was widely known by the slogan “Mr Project.”

Pidomson said he later indicated his intention to succeed Wike as governor but was asked to abandon his ambition on the eve of the governorship primary election.

According to him, Wike summoned a select group of governorship aspirants and appealed to some of them, including Pidomson, to step aside for another candidate.

He alleged that the decision was partly based on the belief that he would be difficult to control because of his perceived stubborn nature.

Pidomson further stated that Wike invited him to a meeting scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day. He claimed that their discussion continued until 4 p.m., after which Fubara was chosen as the preferred successor.

Despite never having occupied a political office, Pidomson maintained that he had consistently supported other politicians throughout his political career.

He also expressed confidence that his supporters still regarded him as an influential figure in Rivers State politics, despite his inability to secure the governorship position.

Recounting the circumstances surrounding his withdrawal from the race, Pidomson said Wike contacted a select group of aspirants and informed them that some of them needed to step down.

In his words, “He called a selected number of us; I was one of the persons he asked to step down, and that they said that I’m not going to be manageable, that I’m stubborn.”

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