The political landscape in Rivers State is shaping up to be an intriguing one in the coming year.
This comes after signs that the ongoing political crisis and the much-discussed peace agreement between the governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, and the minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, may not be fully addressed and may perhaps take a different route.
During a briefing with representatives from Ahoada East and Ahoada West LGAs on Saturday, the FCT minister declared that political activity would start up again in January 2026.
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Wike made the statement soon after South-South Development Forum Chairman Chibudom Nwuche’s yearly thanksgiving event, which took place in his birthplace of Ochigba community, Ahoada East LGA.
During the briefing, Wike attacked those he claimed were profiting from the sacrifices made by others in order to secure President Bola Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 general elections.
He claims that certain people did not publicly back Tinubu when the political climate was tense.
However, he insisted that during the challenging part of the electioneering campaign, he and his followers remained steadfastly with the President.
Wike said, “In that 2023, it was difficult for so many people to come out to say, vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“But we did it, when it was tough for people to say on your mandate we stand. We stood firm and said on your mandate we stand.
“And to the glory of God, we stood and on your mandate we stand today is very strong.
“So you are the ones who made the mandate to be strong as far as Rivers State is concerned.”
In 2023, when their support was most needed, Wike questioned those who had only started praising the President and claimed allegiance to his mandate.
He pointed out that these people did not publicly endorse the President or encourage their followers to cast ballots for him.
He reassured his followers that their hardships and sacrifices would not be in vain.
However, the minister did not identify the people he claimed profited from the sacrifices and hard work put forth throughout the 2023 election campaign.
While thanking his supporters in Ahoada, Wike said, “And we are going forward from January next year. Let me inform you, we will start politics. Let me inform you, we will start what, politics.”
The FCT minister went on to highlight the value of honouring commitments and that he would not participate in any that could not be fulfilled.
He said, “You know me, I believe in agreement is agreement. Agreement is what, agreement.
“Anything you know you cannot do, don’t say it. Don’t enter into it.
“Nobody can use us to say let me say yes I agree, later. No, you can’t do that. Whatever you have agreed in the morning, you must agree in the night.
“So, don’t be worrying yourself about those ones shouting on your mandate we stand. We have shouted when it mattered most.
“If we did not shout that time and stand firm, will they have shouted now?”
Wike claimed that he has never concealed his political stance in Nigeria and that people who break agreements have made him one of the nation’s most vilified leaders.
He reiterated that he will continue to back President Bola Tinubu, as would his supporters.
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The FCT minister thanked the residents of Ahoada for their support over the years and reassured them that they had nothing to worry about.
He added that they would speak at the appropriate time.
Several prominent politicians, including Senators Magnus Abe, Philip Aduda, Wilson Ake, and Olaka Wogu, attended the thanksgiving service.
Ferdinand Anabrabra, OCJ Okocha, and ambassador-designate Aaron Chukwuemeka are among those in attendance.
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