By Peter Omopo
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that political leaders in Rivers State do not require the backing of a sitting governor to mobilise support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike made the statement on Saturday while leading members of the Rivers State chapter of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors at the inauguration of the organisation’s Port Harcourt office.
According to the former Rivers State governor, support for President Tinubu in the state is being driven by committed political structures rather than by the influence of any single office holder.
“We are working for President Tinubu. We don’t need a governor to mobilise us. We have what it takes to operate independently,” Wike said. He listed senators, members of the National and State Assemblies, local government chairmen and party executives from both the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of the mobilisation structure.
Wike stressed that genuine political support is a matter of personal conviction, not coercion, adding that the unity displayed by local leaders reflected their voluntary commitment to the President’s political agenda.
The minister said the mobilisation effort demonstrated the resolve of Rivers political stakeholders who have proactively pledged support for Tinubu ahead of future elections.
Wike’s remarks come against the backdrop of his ongoing political rift with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his successor, amid disagreements over political control in the state and alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He also cautioned supporters against betrayal, warning that backing political rivals often leads to negative consequences.
