The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, declared on Saturday that no political force could dislodge his political camp in Rivers State, asserting that his group has remained resolute since the 2023 general election, despite facing threats and attacks.
Wike made these remarks during a thank-you visit to the Port Harcourt Local Government Area secretariat, where he addressed party leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youth from the council.
“Nobody in this state can push us out. We have led this war since 2023. We have never reneged. There was no amount of threats that didn’t come, and we stood firm,” he stated.
The minister has been touring the 23 local government areas of the state to express gratitude to residents for their support in the 2023 elections and to seek continued backing for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.
The former governor of Rivers State emphasised that his political family has paid the price for its loyalty to the President and the Renewed Hope agenda from the outset, asserting that Rivers remains a stronghold for Tinubu.
“If there is one state that the President knows he can go home and sleep with his two eyes closed, it is Rivers State,” Wike affirmed.
He accused certain politicians of attempting to hijack the Renewed Hope agenda after failing to support Tinubu during the elections, warning that such efforts would ultimately fail.
“In 2023, we led the war here. We were the Renewed Hope agenda people. From the beginning, we are the people of the Renewed Hope family,” he reiterated.
Taking aim at those he claimed backed opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar, Wike remarked, “Those who were not there then, who went and supported Abubakar and refused to give him even 10 per cent, now want to lead the Renewed Hope agenda. Is it possible? You failed.”
He likened the situation to individuals who only appear after a meal has been prepared. “You didn’t go to buy the pepper. You didn’t go to buy the salt. You didn’t go to buy the oil. Suddenly, food is done. You now jump in and say, ‘I want to be the one that will eat first.’ Is that possible?” he queried.
Wike described Port Harcourt as a cosmopolitan city, noting that its diversity makes electoral victories challenging yet immensely significant.
He also claimed that Rivers is unique in its ability to unite leaders from the two major political parties to work collaboratively, a strategy he said contributed to the election of the President.
“This is the only state where you can see the two major political parties working together. Out of the 36 states and the FCT, mention one state that can assemble the leadership of party A and party B to work as a team. That has produced Mr President today,” he said, urging other states to “learn from us, not hate us.”
The minister further advised political leaders in the state to remain united, emphasising that leadership is not a permanent entitlement. He added that leaders must be open to criticism and willing to adapt when necessary.
“A bad leader is one that they will advise and he will remain reluctant to change. But a good leader is one that listens to his people,” Wike concluded.
He commended the Port Harcourt council leadership for their cooperation and urged them to maintain this unity to achieve even greater results.
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