The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has called upon the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom, to maintain a position of traditional detachment as political activities begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a landmark visit to the monarch’s palace in Okrika Local Government Area, the Minister appealed to the traditional institution to allow political actors the latitude to navigate the upcoming electoral cycle without royal interference.
“Allow us to play our politics. Do not put your hand in it,” the Minister stated, addressing the influential monarch. “We are not asking you to be involved; simply allow us to play our game.”
The Minister’s remarks are seen as a strategic move to define the boundaries between governance, traditional authority, and partisan engagement. He lauded King Ateke Tom for his stewardship, noting that the monarch’s leadership had been instrumental in maintaining sustained peace and preventing crises within the Okrika axis.
Earlier, while addressing a gathering at the council secretariat, Wike delivered a blunt assessment of the high stakes involved in the next electoral cycle. He warned that any tactical miscalculation in 2027 would be tantamount to a “political burial” an error he declared himself determined to avoid.
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, the Minister credited the decision to support President Bola Tinubu as a calculated risk that has since yielded significant dividends for his political camp. However, he was quick to signal that future support would be conditional.
“In 2027, our team will only support candidates of proven character,” Wike affirmed. He further clarified that the popular slogan, ‘On your mandate, we stand’, would no longer serve as a guarantee for automatic tickets, insisting that the mistakes of the previous cycle must not be repeated.
The visit, which the Minister described as his first to a traditional palace solely for the purpose of expressing gratitude, was also an opportunity to celebrate his long-standing ties with the Ijaw people. Identifying himself as an “Ijaw man by affinity,” Wike thanked the community for their unwavering loyalty during recent political upheavals.
The sentiment of solidarity was echoed by several local leaders. Senator George Sekibo, Chairman of the Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress, pledged continued support for the Minister, citing the inclusion of Ijaw kinsmen in key appointments. Similarly, the Chairman of Okrika LGA, Akuro Tobin, praised the Minister’s developmental influence, specifically highlighting the economic benefits arising from the ongoing construction of the Eleme–Onne section of the East–West Road.
Representing the women of the constituency, the Deputy Leader of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Linda Stewart, offered prayers for the Minister’s team, reinforcing the communal backing for his political trajectory.
