We’ll correct ‘leadership mistake’ in Rivers in 2027 – Wike

By Philip Yatai

Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike again gave indication that he may not back re-election of his successor as Rivers governor, Siminalayi Fubara in 2027.

Speaking during a “thank you visit’” to Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers state on Wednesday, Wike said there is no going back on the decision taken to ‘restore power to Rivers people” in the 2027 elections.

The Minister said the decision include supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election for a second term and ‘correcting the leadership mistake at the state level.’

The mistake was an obvious reference to Fubara who Wike supported as his successor as Rivers governor in the 2023 election.

The Minister has since fallen out with the governor.

Wike said no amount of money would change the determination to correct the mistake, adding: “We have done it before and we are going to do it again.

He insisted that the decision to see Fubara out of office after one term has been made by his group.

“We are prepared; we have made a decision and we are not going back. I want you to be strong. Nobody will intimidate us.”

He explained that the the people who were entrusted with power in Rivers have been misled by money and power, stating that greed and lack of gratitude lead to downfall.

He said he was in Eleme to thank the people for standing firm with Tinubu, stressing that he had not taken their support for granted.

“In spite of all the troubles, Tinubu decided that I, a South-South person, should be the Minister of FCT. It has never happened before.

“Also, the ongoing development in this area has never happened before until Tinubu happened,” he said.

Earlier, Chief Aforji Igwe, representing Eleme in Rivers House of Assembly, described Wike as a ‘fair, just and a man of integrity’.

Igwe pledged the support of Eleme people to the minister due to his outstanding support to the people.

Also, Chairman of Eleme Council, Chief Obarilormate Ollor, commended the minister for all the infrastructural interventions in the area during his time as governor of Rivers.

Ollor assured Wike that the people of the council area were with him and ready to go wherever he asked them to go.

He said that the people were already aware of his directive for the re-election of Tinubu but awaiting the directive for the governorship election in 2027.

(NAN)