Wike warns Rivers voters that the state will not repeat what he described as a costly leadership mistake in the 2027 general elections. The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory delivered the message during a thank-you visit to Khana community in Bori, Khana Local Government Area, on Tuesday.
Although Nyesom Wike insisted the visit was not a political rally, his remarks carried clear political undertones. He told the crowd that leaders who failed to appreciate the opportunity given to them would not be trusted again by the people.
Wike suggested that those previously handed power had fallen short of expectations. He said repeating such a decision would be unacceptable, warning that the electorate would resist any attempt to impose leadership without proven performance.
He dismissed claims of automatic political tickets, saying popularity slogans and public chants mean little without tangible results. According to him, political mandates must be earned through loyalty, hard work, and accountability to the people.
While Wike did not mention Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara by name, the comments come against the backdrop of their prolonged political standoff. The rivalry previously escalated into a constitutional crisis that led to Fubara’s suspension and a presidentially declared state of emergency, which ended in September 2025.
Earlier in the week, Wike had also stated during a media interaction that Governor Fubara’s recent public support for President Bola Tinubu, following his defection to the All Progressives Congress, does not guarantee a second-term ticket in 2027. He said political loyalty must be backed by consistent performance and alignment with leadership direction.
Addressing supporters in Khana, Wike urged residents to put party differences aside and rally behind President Tinubu’s administration. He said political identity in Rivers should now be driven by the Renewed Hope agenda rather than traditional party lines.
Wike thanked the people of Khana for standing by him and Tinubu during the 2023 elections, describing their support as risky at the time. He said the community has since benefited from that decision through federal appointments, infrastructure projects, approval of the Federal University of Environment, and the presidential pardon granted to the Ogoni Nine.
He assured residents that more federal opportunities and projects would reach Ogoniland, urging them to remain united and aligned with the current political leadership as 2027 approaches.
