The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned political actors at the national level to stay away from Rivers State affairs, insisting that the state’s political decisions—particularly its support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections—were deliberate, collective and must not be taken for granted.
Speaking during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike said Rivers remained the only state where the two dominant political parties worked together openly during the last general election, stressing that the decision was taken in good faith and at great political risk.
“Let me warn those who come to Rivers State, because you have heard about this already. You come here, you collect, and you open your mouth and start talking. I want to say it clearly here: tell the National Secretary to leave Rivers State alone. Leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who have tried it before,” Wike said.
He cautioned against making careless statements about Rivers politics, warning that such comments could undermine the sacrifices made by the state’s political actors.
“Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make. Today, you are enjoying your position, but you don’t know those who did the work,” he added.
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Wike said the decision to align across party lines was difficult but necessary, noting that Rivers took a political risk that ultimately paid off.
“In 2023, it was tough. We took a decision without knowing where it would lead us. But in life, you must take a risk. We said we would not give up, and we took that risk. For the glory of God, see where we are today,” he said.
Wike described Rivers as unique in Nigeria’s political landscape, arguing that no other state had successfully coordinated cooperation between the major parties in the way Rivers did.
“I challenge any state in this country: put the two major political parties together and see what it takes. This is the only state where you saw the two main parties working together. We did it in 2023. We said, ‘President, take this one; our party will take this one,’ and that was exactly what happened,” he said.
Wike also expressed gratitude to the people of Oyigbo, saying he returned to appreciate their consistent political support.
“It would be wrong for me to take your support for granted. There has never been a time I came to Oyigbo and asked for something you did not give me. We are not ungrateful people. We appreciate what God used you to do for us,” Wike said.
He insisted that Rivers State had already taken a firm political position and would not be pressured into changing course.
“Rivers State has taken a decision. We are not taking a decision today—we took it already. Nobody forced us. We are the first state that did it, and we did not lose elections here,” he said.
Wike warned against political abandonment, alleging that some actors encouraged confrontation but retreated when consequences followed.
“That is how they pushed the young man into trouble. When the trouble came, they ran away. There is no coming back to that. Rivers State has taken a decision,” he said.
He concluded by urging restraint and respect for Rivers State’s political autonomy.
“Take what you are taking and stop making unnecessary comments. Leave Rivers State alone. We know what we are doing,” Wike said.
Boluwatife Enome
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