ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said Rivers State has no option but to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in office, citing what he described as the unprecedented benefits, appointments and development projects the state has received under the current administration.
Wike made the remarks on Saturday in Port Harcourt during a luncheon organised by the Rainbow Coalition in honour of candidates contesting the forthcoming governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections in Rivers State.
The former Rivers State governor urged residents to assess the gains the state had recorded under previous administrations and compare them with what had been achieved in less than three years of the Tinubu government.
According to him, the level of recognition and opportunities extended to Rivers State by the Federal Government under Tinubu deserves appreciation and continued political support.
“From 2023 to now, compare what Rivers State has benefited under this administration with what it got under previous governments. Look at the appointments and opportunities that have come to Rivers State. Compare them and tell yourselves the truth.
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“President Tinubu has shown so much appreciation to Rivers people. We have no choice but to continue supporting him,” Wike stated.
The FCT minister also downplayed ethnic and sectional considerations in politics, maintaining that governance, performance and development should guide the choices of voters.
He advised political supporters and party members to concentrate on grassroots mobilisation rather than media visibility, stressing that electoral victories are secured at polling units and not on television screens.
“Television will not give you votes. What gives votes is going to your polling units, your wards and your local governments. Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward and deliver your local government,” he said.
Expressing confidence in the strength and growing influence of the Rainbow Coalition, Wike predicted that the political group would emerge as a dominant force in future elections across the state.
“If you want to be relevant in Rivers politics, come and join the Rainbow Coalition. If you want to be governor, senator, House of Representatives member or councillor, come and join us,” he declared.
Wike further warned against any effort to undermine the political interests of Rivers State, insisting that residents would resist attempts by external forces to take control of what belongs to the people.
“Rivers people are peaceful, but nobody should take our peaceful disposition for granted. Nobody can come here and hijack what belongs to our people,” he said.
The former governor also extended an olive branch to politicians who may have fallen out with the coalition, calling on them to return and contribute to the development of the state.
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“I am using this opportunity to forgive everybody. Come back home sincerely and let us work together for the progress of Rivers State,” he added.
He maintained that leadership should be judged on competence, commitment and the capacity to improve the lives of citizens, rather than on ethnic or religious affiliations.
“It does not matter where a leader comes from. What matters is that the person will not make us regret supporting him. Our concern is good governance and the development of Rivers State,” Wike said.
Among those present at the event were the governorship candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Action Alliance (AC), Kingsley Chinda, Sam Ejekwu and Ben Eke, respectively, while the Labour Party candidate, Chima Bons, was represented.