Dare Babalola
Rivers State is bracing for a high-stakes political showdown as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike sent a clear message that the state’s political arena will erupt into full-blown action come January 2026, signaling a fierce battle for supremacy.
Wike spoke on Saturday during a special thanksgiving service organised by the South-South Development Commission’s Chibudom Nwuche and his family in Ochiba community, his hometown in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The former Rivers governor also described himself as the most abused politician in Nigeria today after President Bola Tinubu but maintained that he does not renege on any agreement he enters.
He expressed heartfelt gratitude for the steadfast support of the people of Ahoada East and West LGAs, acknowledging that they’ve been his political pillars.
“This is the first local government we are coming to say thank you for being there for us all through these years.
“You know, like the pastor said today, God detastes those who are ungrateful. And so for what you’ve done for us, for standing with us, we say thank you. Thank you, and thank you,” Wike said.
He recalled the 2023 elections, praising locals for standing firm.
“You remember, in 2023, when it was tough, nobody knows what will happen in that election. Somebody was saying that it will be difficult for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win that election. So many people were not able to come and vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“But we all met, as leaders here, and you, to say in politics, we must take a stand and defend. That we must take a decision, whether it is good or bad. But we know at the end of the day, it will be good. But we did it.
“When it was tough, for people to say, on your mandate we stand. We stood firm and said on your mandate we stand. And to the glory of God, we stood. And today, he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he added.
He praised residents for their role in consolidating Tinubu’s mandate.
“So you are the ones who made the mandate to be strong as far as Rivers State is concerned,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister made a veiled reference to the recent defection of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, suggesting their support for Tinubu was belated.
“So all these people you are now seeing singing on your mandate we stand, that time, when they were needed most, they couldn’t sing that. They couldn’t come out to say, vote for Ahmed Bola Tinubu.
“Now that you stood and voted for him, and even said, woman, I tell you, all your struggle will not go in vain. So we have come to tell you to remain strong,” Wike said.
Wike emphasised the importance of honouring agreements.
“You know me, I believe in agreement. Anything you know you cannot do, don’t say it, don’t even enter into it. From January next year, politics will start. Nobody can use us. So let me say yes and agree later. No, I can’t do that. Whatever you have agreed in the morning, it was agreed in the night. So, don’t be worried yourself about who was shouting or your mandate will start.
“We have shouted when it mattered most. If we did not shout it then, would they shout now? Would they have shouted now? I have never hidden my position. Nigerians know. And you can attest to it. We have never wavered in support of Aswad Bola Tinubu. If you want to know after Bola Tinubu, the next most abused politician is me.
“Why are they abusing me? Because they know agreement is what? When we have agreed on something, let’s implement it. If you cannot implement it, don’t even come to reach it.
“So for us, we have decided before now, long ago, that we must make sure we continue to support Bola Tinubu. That is the position you took. And that is the position we are going to continue to take. So on behalf of our team, we want to thank you, our foot soldiers who have stood firm in spite of all provocations,” the FCT minister explained.
He also said some local politicians resort to abusing him for personal gain.
“One thing you should know about Nigerian politics. You know, there is a universal state every time. How you can make money now for a universal state is like that. You go and say, this enough is enough for Wike. Who deal with Wike, they drop (dish out money) If you don’t say you will deal with Wike, you won’t get him.
“I hear we have about N600 billion somewhere. So just say we will deal with Wike. The moment you pronounce that word, something will come down,” Wike said in a mocking tone.
