No force can dislodge my political base in Rivers – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has maintained that his political bloc remains firmly rooted in Rivers State, declaring that no opposition can force his camp out of the state.

Wike made the assertion on Saturday during a thank-you visit to the Port Harcourt Local Government Area secretariat, where he met with party leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths from the council.

According to the minister, his political family has remained resolute since the 2023 general election despite intimidation and attacks.

“Nobody in this state can push us out. We have led this war since 2023. We have never reneged. There was no amount of threats that didn’t come, and we stood firm,” he said.

Wike, who has been touring all 23 local government areas of Rivers State, explained that the visits were aimed at appreciating residents for their support during the 2023 elections and mobilising continued backing for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

The former governor said his camp had paid the price for its early and unwavering loyalty to the President and the Renewed Hope agenda, stressing that Rivers State remained a strong base for Tinubu.

“If there is one state that the President knows he can go home and sleep with his two eyes closed, it is Rivers State,” Wike said.

He accused some politicians of attempting to appropriate the Renewed Hope agenda after failing to support Tinubu during the last election, warning that such moves would not succeed.

“In 2023, we led the war here. We were the Renewed Hope agenda people. From the beginning, we are the people of the Renewed Hope family,” he said.

Wike also criticised those he claimed backed opposition candidate, Atiku Abubakar, noting that they lacked the moral standing to now claim leadership of the agenda.

“Those who were not there then, who went and supported Abubakar and refused to give him even 10 per cent, now want to lead the Renewed Hope agenda. Is it possible? You failed,” he added.

Drawing an analogy, the minister likened such politicians to people who arrived only after food had been prepared.

“You didn’t go to buy the pepper. You didn’t go to buy the salt. You didn’t go to buy the oil. Suddenly, food is done. You now jump in and say, ‘I want to be the one that will eat first.’ Is that possible?” he asked.

Wike described Port Harcourt as a cosmopolitan city whose diversity often makes electoral success difficult but more meaningful when achieved.

He further claimed that Rivers State was unique in its ability to unite leaders of the two major political parties to work together, a strategy he said played a key role in producing the President.

“This is the only state where you can see the two major political parties working together. Out of the 36 states and the FCT, mention one state that can assemble the leadership of party A and party B to work as a team. That has produced Mr President today,” he said, urging other states to “learn from us, not hate us.”

The minister also advised political leaders in the state to maintain unity, reminding them that leadership positions were not permanent.

He stressed the importance of being receptive to criticism and embracing change when necessary.

“A bad leader is one that they will advise and he will remain reluctant to change. But a good leader is one that listens to his people,” Wike said.