Ahead of the 2027 elections, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has given strong indications that he has parted ways with his successor, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara,
Wike said he would only personally support a candidate he can trust to succeed Fubara.
He stressed that he would not repeat what he described as the mistakes of the 2023 election.
The former Rivers State governor made the remarks while addressing his supporters over the weekend in Ahoada Local Government Area of the state.
Wike said previous agreements reached with the Governor were allegedly violated, making further political cooperation impossible.
“We will not make the mistake we made in 2023,” Wike said, adding that no individual would dictate political decisions to him in Rivers State.
He also dismissed claims that recent political slogans and rallies would automatically secure an electoral ticket for any aspirant.
Recall that Governor Fubara recently defected to the All Progressives Congress.
But Wike clarified that his open support for President Bola Tinubu does not translate into automatic backing for Fubara’s re-election bid.
He reiterated his support for Tinubu, saying the President deserved a second term, citing what he described as Tinubu’s goodwill towards Rivers State, including his appointment as FCT minister.
Despite this, Wike maintained that political decisions in Rivers State would be guided strictly by trust and interests.
“So, if you like, shout on your mandate 50 times a day. It will not give you an automatic ticket. If you like, bring everybody, shout on your mandate that is not an automatic ticket.
“Politics is about interest,” he said, adding that he would support a candidate he can rely on and “sleep with his eyes closed.”
