The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) or openly declaring loyalty to President Bola Tinubu does not automatically guarantee a second-term ticket.
Wike issued the warning on Sunday while addressing supporters during a political engagement in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, as part of his ongoing consultations across the state.
Received by the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Chidi Lloyd, alongside traditional ruler Sergeant Awuse and other party leaders, the minister restated his long-held views on political loyalty, structure, and agreements. He stressed that the Ikwerre ethnic nationality must remain politically relevant, cautioning against complacency and marginalisation.
According to Wike, political relevance is earned through consistency and strategic decisions, not by aligning with political trends after victories have already been secured. He warned that merely declaring support for President Tinubu—especially after the 2023 general elections—should not be mistaken for an automatic pathway to re-election.
Wike insisted that politics must be guided by clear agreements, stressing that promises must be honoured and that loyalty without structure or commitment carries no guarantees.
Earlier, the council chairman reaffirmed Emohua’s support for President Tinubu and Wike, declaring that the local government remained firmly aligned with their political direction.
In remarks widely interpreted as directed at Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Wike said support for President Tinubu alone would not guarantee any election ticket, noting that loyalty must be proven during difficult times, not after power has been secured. He mocked what he described as late supporters of Tinubu, insisting that sudden alignment would not earn political rewards.
In his words:
“So the issue is not whether you are supporting Tinubu. That one, we have taken too long, long… Yes, oh. So Tinubu’s issue is not an issue again. Yes. Do you understand me? Yes. Tinubu’s issue is that nobody should be coming here to tell a day. We are for Tinubu, I am against you. Who is for Tinubu University? (laughs) That cannot give you any ticket, oh. (laughs) Direct, direct. It will not. Direction. Direction.”
Wike said his political camp stood with Tinubu when the decision was unpopular, adding that support given under pressure carries more weight than alignment after victory. He recalled how the Rivers State House of Assembly openly backed Tinubu early, long before the election outcome was certain.
“The same people now who came to declare, put them to God… But they should declare they are saying it for a candidate. Yes. Don’t you see characters? (laughs) So I send the sword far ahead of them.”
The minister also spoke on governance and continuity, defending projects and agreements initiated during his tenure as governor. He noted that successors often struggle to acknowledge past efforts, even though government is a continuous process.
His remarks come weeks after Governor Fubara formally aligned with the APC, following months of political crisis in Rivers State that led to federal intervention and a brief declaration of emergency rule.
From Emohua, Wike proceeded to Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where he delivered a similar message. There, Samuel Nwanosike, Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency and former council chairman, pledged continued support for Wike and dismissed claims that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could gain a foothold in the area.
Observers say Wike’s engagements across Ikwerre land signal a deliberate effort to consolidate his political base, amid emerging realignments and possible tensions ahead of the 2027 elections.
