The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a formidable ultimatum to his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, sending tremors through the Nigerian political landscape.
Addressing a high-profile assembly of stakeholders in the Eleme Local Government Area on Wednesday, the former Governor of Rivers State warned that he would personally divulge the details of a private agreement brokered before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should the Governor fail to be transparent with the electorate.
The Minister’s remarks underscored a deepening rift between the two leaders. “If he does not tell the Rivers people the agreement we had before Mr President, I will tell them myself,” Mr Wike declared, suggesting that certain conditions underlying the current political arrangement remain undisclosed to the public.
Drawing a sharp contrast between his experiences at the national and state levels, Mr Wike noted that the “political risks” he undertook for the incumbent federal administration had yielded significant fruit. He pointed to his own appointment as FCT Minister and the strategic inclusion of Rivers indigenes in key federal roles as evidence of President Tinubu’s commitment to the state.
Mr Wike also took the opportunity to issue a stern warning to external political actors, advising those unfamiliar with the intricate nuances of Rivers State politics to refrain from interference.
“If you do not understand the politics of Rivers State, sit at home,” the Minister asserted. “Nobody will intimidate us. In the past, when the federal government was against us, we prevailed. Now that the federal government is our ally, our victory shall be even more assured.”
The Minister explained that his visit to Eleme was primarily a gesture of gratitude for the unwavering support he has received over the years, reaffirming that the collective decision to support the Tinubu administration was a masterstroke that has secured the state’s interests.
The meeting, which saw a rare convergence of leaders from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC), served as a powerful display of Mr Wike’s enduring influence.
Senator Olaka Nwogu, offered a passionate commendation of the Minister’s legacy, stating, “We voted for Governor Sim Fubara because Wike directed us to do so. Since he left office, no major project has been attracted to Eleme. Whatever he says, we stand by him.”
Echoing these sentiments, Hon. Aforji Igwe of the Rivers State House of Assembly described Mr Wike as a “detribalised leader” who prioritised equity by resisting pressure to keep the governorship within the Ikwerre ethnic group, instead facilitating the emergence of a riverine candidate.
The gathering concluded with the Chairman of Eleme Local Government, Hon. Obarilomate Ollor, and several other prominent figures, including Hon. Isaac Kamalu and Marcus Ejii, pledging their total loyalty to Mr Wike’s political trajectory. The assembly further solidified its stance by vowing to support President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
The event was marked by the presentation of a commemorative plaque to the Minister, a symbolic gesture acknowledging his contributions to the development of the region, and the notable return of several political veterans to Mr Wike’s camp.
As the “new political season” dawns, all eyes remain fixed on Governor Fubara’s next move in what has become a high-stakes game of political transparency and loyalty.
