Rivers politics: We won’t make another mistake, says Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said the people of Rivers State will not repeat what he described as a leadership mistake in 2027.

The minister made the remark during a thank-you visit to the people of Khana in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, on Tuesday.

Although the minister, in his address, noted that the visit was not political, he stated that the people would drive out those who were previously given the chance at leadership but failed to show appreciation.

“As for the state, we will talk about that later. You know what I mean. We will not make a mistake again.

“How you know, in the first one you have done, have you said thank you? So if you make another mistake, that means they will drive you out here.

“So, don’t bother yourself. If you like, shout mandate 20 times. Your ticket is not automatic. We have shouted mandate since 2023, so it’s no longer new for us. If you like, shout as much as you want,” he said.

Although Wike did not mention Governor Siminalayi Fubara by name, The PUNCH reports that both men have been locked in a power struggle for control of the state’s political structure, which culminated in Fubara’s suspension and the presidential declaration of a state of emergency in the state that ended in September 2025.

On Monday, the FCT minister had, during his end-of-the-year media parley, stated that the governor’s support for President Bola Tinubu, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress in early December, did not automatically guarantee his second-term ticket.

So many people think that when you sing on your mandate we stand, that gives you an automatic ticket.

“No, it doesn’t give anybody ticket, you have to work. You have to earn the ticket for you to present to your people,” he said.

Addressing the Khana people, Wike reiterated that political divides across parties no longer existed, urging support for Tinubu in 2027.

“For us, there’s nothing like APC or PDP; what we have is Renewed Hope. We’re not voting based on party but on the fact that we belong to one political family, which is the Renewed Hope family.

“Just follow your leaders. Anywhere you see them going, that is where we are going,” he said.

He thanked the people for their support in 2023, noting the difficulty and “risk” attached to declaring support for Tinubu, then a presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

He pointed out that the President had equally shown support and appreciation for the local government, citing appointments, the approval of the Federal University of Environment, and the presidential pardon for the Ogoni Nine.

“During the turbulent period, Khana stood with us and now you have benefited, from good roads to University of Environment among other benefits because of the love of Mr President. So many appointments have come to Ogoniland and more are coming,” he stated.

culled from punch.