The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has linked his decision to part ways politically with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to what he described as mistakes made during the 2023 elections.
Wike said he would support a candidate he can trust to succeed Governor Fubara in 2027, stressing that he is determined not to repeat the political errors of the last election cycle.
The former Rivers State governor made the remarks while addressing his supporters over the weekend in Ahoada Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, political agreements reached ahead of the 2023 elections were allegedly breached, a situation he said has shaped his current political stance and made continued cooperation with the governor untenable.
“We will not make the mistake we made in 2023,” Wike said, adding that he would not allow anyone to dictate political decisions in Rivers State.
He dismissed claims that political chants, rallies, or slogans could automatically secure an electoral ticket for any aspirant, according to DAILY POST.
Recall that Governor Fubara recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Wike, however, 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 deserves 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 driven by trust and political interest rather than sentiments.
“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.”
