The President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and former federal lawmaker, Senator John Mbata, has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, insisting that Rivers State has only one legitimate governor.

Mbata made the declaration on Tuesday at the 2025 Eneka Day Celebration in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, an event attended by Governor Siminalayi Fubara. His remarks drew loud applause from the audience and were widely seen as a rebuttal to recent political statements credited to Wike.

“There is only one governor in Rivers State, whether you like it or not. If you like, shout from now till tomorrow,” Mbata declared, eliciting cheers from the crowd.

Earlier in the day, Wike had stirred controversy during a visit to Khana Local Government Area, where he warned Rivers people against repeating what he described as past political mistakes ahead of the 2027 general election.

“We won’t make mistakes again. The first one you have done, have they said thank you?” Wike asked supporters, who chorused “No!” He added that making another mistake could lead to dire consequences, a comment political observers interpreted as a veiled reference to his ongoing feud with his successor, Governor Fubara.