Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Fayose detailed the conversation they had during a nighttime journey from Abuja in 2023.
"I was a supporter of Austin Opara, who was a candidate—who was an aspirant in Rivers State in 2023. I was supporting Austin Opara, the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps.
But one night we were traveling from Abuja, and I was hiding that from Governor Wike. But we were both seated at the back of the car.
So for me to read his mind, to be able to see if he was working with Austin—before I could conclude the statement, he said, 'I know your candidate. But I'm not going with your candidate. I am going with Fubara,'" he said.
The former governor admitted he was unfamiliar with Fubara in political circles at the time, and Wike's revelation immediately ended hopes for Opara's candidacy.
Fayose placed the Rivers State crisis within a broader national context, arguing that outgoing governors commonly influence succession across Nigeria.
He highlighted that effective crisis management by sitting governors determines outcomes rather than the existence of succession disputes themselves.
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