The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Friday, said his political alignment with President Bola Tinubu remains unshakable, as he rallied his political structure in Rivers State to consolidate support for the President.
Wike spoke during a strategic consultative meeting with stakeholders of Akpor Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said his interest in the state is to be used as a vessel to help the people, adding that politics is driven by collective interest, not permanent animosity.
“My interest in Rivers State is for God to use me as a vessel to help our people. I am back here not for what I will get, but for what I will be to raise my people,” he said.
“There is no permanent enemy in politics, what we have is permanent collective interest. It is all about the interest of our people. The more you are in number, the happier you become.”
The FCT Minister reiterated that he would resign his position if President Tinubu loses Rivers and the FCT in 2027.
Reflecting on his appointment, Wike noted that working with President Tinubu was a milestone that defied political convention.
“You know how difficult, you know how impossible it looked, but he made it possible for us to produce the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
He charged political actors not to be distracted by social media criticism over his open-door policy toward former detractors, saying true political strength lies in numerical superiority.
“Obio-Akpor as a whole, whether you are a politician, whether you are a traditional ruler, whether you are a pastor or native doctor, I need everybody now, because all of them will vote. For the purpose of voting and elections, we must bring everyone together,” Wike declared.
Drawing from his history as the first elected chairman of Obio-Akpor to win a second term since its creation in 1989, he reminded incumbent council leaders that performance and human connection remain yardsticks for re-election.
“I was not elected two times because I was just chairman. I was elected because people felt the impact of governance and because I related with the people,” he said.
He described Wards 15, 16 and 17 in Obio-Akpor as strategic strongholds capable of deciding electoral outcomes.
“We have over 200 units across three very important wards – Ward 15, Ward 16 and Ward 17. These three wards can defeat 10 wards in Obio-Akpor. They are three wards with a difference, and you must utilise them,” he said.
Wike directed local leaders to deploy unit coordinators and door-to-door canvassers across all polling units and mobilise their families and neighbours for victory.
He also affirmed that he would remain the state’s “chief critic” to ensure elected council officers stay accountable.
Wike was accompanied by House of Representatives member, Kingsley Chinda, and other political leaders.