Political scientist Akinwunmi Akinfenwa says President Bola Tinubu’s public positioning of Nyesom Wike in Rivers State politics is a calculated and strategic move aimed at consolidating political strength ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday, Akinfenwa argued that the president’s stance reflects political pragmatism rather than party loyalty, stressing that Wike remains a dominant force at the grassroots level in Rivers State.
According to him, “The president has just been strategic. He knows the importance of Rivers State in the scheme of things and he knows very well that whether you like to hate him, whether you love to like him, Wike is a factor in Rivers State politics because he is in control of the grassroots and the president is very much aware of that and that is why he is trying to keep him at least close to him and not lose him.”
“Wike is an old war horse who has been tested several times and he has delivered,” he said.
Akinfenwa said the president’s approach is driven by Wike’s political capacity and past electoral performance, particularly during the 2023 elections.
“The president is just trying to be pragmatic because Wike was able to deliver in 2023 and he has firm control of Rivers State. No doubt about that,” he said.
He added that future electoral considerations were central to the president’s calculations, stating, “The president is aware of this and so he has to bring him closer because he is thinking in terms of 2027 when there will be a presidential election. He knows that he needs him.”
On the political style and influence of the former Rivers State governor, Akinfenwa described Wike as controversial but effective.
“He is an enfant terrible in politics but there is nothing anybody can do about that. What is important is the ability to deliver. He has the capacity to do that,” he said.
Turning to the political standing of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Akinfenwa argued that the governor lacks the political machinery required to command Rivers State.
“Fubara, honestly, he doesn’t have the structure. Yes, they can declare him as the number one, but will he be able to deliver when the time comes?” he asked.
He insisted that political success in Nigeria is not driven by sentiment but by results, adding, “Politics has no morality. It is the capacity to deliver at the right time. That is what makes the difference between men and boys. And Wike, when it comes to that, is a man.”
Akinfenwa further warned that sidelining Wike could have serious political consequences for the president.
“If you remove Wike from the setting now, he will be able to cause a lot of damage to the political ambition of the president come 2027,” he said, explaining that this risk informed the decision to keep Wike politically engaged.
He also criticised the broader political culture, describing it as transactional and devoid of ethical considerations.
“Politics has nothing to do with morality and you don’t bring emotions into it. It is just a Machiavellian way of doing things,” he said.
On internal divisions within the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State, Akinfenwa noted that leadership disputes remain unresolved due to ongoing court cases.
“There is an ongoing litigation which does not give anybody the right to say I have the authentic PDP. That is still a subject of litigation,” he said.
Despite the legal uncertainty, he maintained that Governor Seyi Makinde remains firmly in control of the party structure in the state.
“For as long as that remains, His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde, still holds firmly to the PDP in Oyo State,”Akinfenwa stated.
He dismissed suggestions that Wike could easily extend his influence into Oyo State politics, adding, “When Wike says he is coming to Oyo State, he doesn’t really have what it takes to take over in Oyo State.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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