Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will not allow himself to be politically sidelined, insisting that hard lessons have been learned from past decisions in Rivers State.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Okrika Local Government Area, Wike urged his supporters to mobilise fully for the success of President Bola Tinubu in the next general elections.
He openly canvassed support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, while making it clear that a decision had already been reached regarding Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s second-term ambition.
“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one [Fubara], no way. Because if we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically.
“I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again,” the former Rivers State governor said.
Wike has intensified his public criticism of Fubara following the Rivers governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress on December 9. The FCT minister accused Fubara of violating the peace agreement that was reached before the lifting of the emergency rule in Rivers State, an arrangement that facilitated the governor’s return to office.
Last Tuesday, Wike said the “leadership mistake” in Rivers would be corrected in 2027 and pledged to disclose the full details of the peace agreement that restored Fubara to power. In what appeared to be a direct reference to the governor, Wike stated that leadership should be guided by the will of the people rather than personal ambition.
“We will not make the same mistake again at the state level in 2027, but we will talk about it later when the time comes,” he said.
Wike also dismissed the idea that Fubara’s support for Tinubu would strengthen the governor’s chances of re-election, noting that his own backing for the president predated Fubara’s move to the APC. Addressing stakeholders in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area last Friday, he remarked, “If you played well with the first one and succeeded, do you think you can succeed with the second one? There cannot be two markets in one day.”
In a veiled reference to the peace agreements reached with Fubara, Wike added, “So, whoever is assuring you that everything will be fine once you sign on your mandate [Tinubu’s political signature song], you are mistaken.
“All of us have decided to work for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no discussion about that. Of course, you know we won’t make the mistake we made last time. We are here to correct the mistake. We will do all we can to ensure that we give Tinubu all the total support that is required.”
What you should know
Nyesom Wike’s comments signal a hardening political stance ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly in Rivers State.
By openly committing to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election while rejecting support for Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s second-term ambition, Wike is positioning himself as a key political force determined to avoid past miscalculations.
His remarks also highlight deepening fractures in Rivers politics, especially following Fubara’s defection to the APC and alleged breaches of earlier peace agreements that restored him to office.
