Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his political alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging political leaders and stakeholders in Rivers State to unite and consolidate support for the President.
Wike made the call on Friday during a strategic consultative meeting with stakeholders of the Obio-Akpor Kingdom, the Obio-Akpor Consultative Assembly and residents of the local government area.
The former Rivers State governor said politics should be driven by the collective interest of the people rather than permanent hostility, stressing the importance of building a broad political base to deliver democratic dividends.
“There is no permanent enemy in politics; what we have is permanent collective interest,” Wike said.
“It is all about the interest of our people. The more you are in number, the happier you become. Leadership is like a waste dustbin. If you cannot absorb things, both the good and the bad, then you cannot be a true leader.”
Reflecting on his political journey and appointment as FCT Minister, Wike described his working relationship with President Tinubu as an extraordinary development that defied previous political expectations.
He said his renewed engagement with the grassroots in Rivers State was motivated by a desire to contribute to the development and wellbeing of the people.
“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.
“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.”
Wike also urged political actors in the state to disregard criticism of his open-door approach to former political opponents, arguing that political strength is largely determined by the ability to build a wider support base.
He called for an inclusive campaign structure across Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and politicians to work together towards a common political objective.
“Obio-Akpor as a whole, whether you are a politician, whether you are a traditional ruler, whether you are a pastor, or whether you are a native doctor, I need everybody now,” Wike said.
“Because all of them will vote. For the purpose of voting and elections, we must bring everyone together.”
Wike also recalled his tenure as the first elected chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government to secure a second term after the council’s creation in 1989, attributing his re-election to his performance and relationship with residents.
“I was not elected twice because I was just Chairman. I was elected because people felt the impact of governance and because I related to the people. Anywhere, whether for burial or thanksgiving, I was always identifying with them,” he said.
Outlining his mobilisation strategy, the FCT Minister identified Wards 15, 16 and 17 in Obio-Akpor as strategically important areas, noting that the three wards collectively have more than 200 polling units.
“We have over 200 units across three very important wards: Ward 15, Ward 16, and Ward 17. These three wards can defeat ten wards in Obio-Akpor. They are three wards with a difference, and you must utilise them to make that difference,” he told the leaders.
He directed local political leaders to deploy unit coordinators and door-to-door canvassers across the polling units, urging them to mobilise their families, in-laws and neighbours ahead of the elections.
Wike further described himself as the state’s “Chief Critic” and guide, saying he would continue to hold elected council officials accountable to the people.
The FCT Minister was accompanied by the Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda.
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