Fubara Ally, Chijioke Ihunwo, Defends Governor Over Rivers Crisis

A former Caretaker Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Ambassador Chijioke Ihunwo, says he has no regrets over his role during the political crisis that rocked Rivers State despite now backing Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s reconciliation with Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike.

Ihunwo, who was among Fubara’s most vocal defenders throughout the crisis, dismissed suggestions that he and other loyalists misled the governor into a prolonged political confrontation.

Speaking during an interview on Beyond the Headlines, he insisted that neither he nor the governor made any mistake.

“Nobody deceived the governor. We are still with the governor till tomorrow. Nobody is a loser, nobody is a winner. We are back together because this state belongs to all of us,” he said.

Asked whether he regretted his conduct during the crisis, Ihunwo replied: “Frankly speaking, I do not regret anything. What I did, I was supposed to do.”

He defended his actions, saying he stood by Governor Fubara because he believed the governor was being unfairly targeted shortly after assuming office.

“The question we asked then was: what was the offence of the governor that people wanted him impeached barely two months after he assumed office? That was why we stood by him,” he said.

Ihunwo also rejected claims that he owed anyone an apology over the crisis, describing some of his critics as politically irrelevant.

While acknowledging that political disagreements had occurred, he urged Rivers politicians to put the past behind them and support Governor Fubara’s peace initiative.

According to him, lasting peace in the state can only be achieved if all political actors align with the governor’s reconciliation efforts and work together ahead of the 2027 general elections.