The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that no political force can dislodge his camp in Rivers State, insisting that his political family has survived threats, attacks, and pressure since the 2023 general election.
Wike made the statement 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 youth groups from the council.
The former Rivers State governor said his decision to support Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election exposed his camp to intense political threats, but maintained that they remained resolute throughout the period.
“Nobody in this state can push us out. We have led this war since 2023. We have never reneged. There were no threats that did not come, and we stood firm,” Wike said.
He noted that his political group had paid a heavy price for its loyalty to the President and the Renewed Hope agenda, stressing that Rivers State remained one of Tinubu’s strongest bases of support.
According to him, some politicians who failed to support Tinubu during the election are now attempting to take ownership of the Renewed Hope agenda, a move he described as unacceptable and doomed to fail.
“If there is one state that the President knows he can go home and sleep with his two eyes closed, it is Rivers State. In 2023, we led the war here. We were the Renewed Hope agenda people from the beginning,” he said.
Taking a swipe at those who backed opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar in the election, Wike questioned their sudden interest in leading the President’s 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 said.
Wike likened the situation to people who show up only after the work has been done, using a food preparation analogy to drive home his point.
“You did not buy the pepper. You did not buy the salt. You did not buy the oil. Suddenly the food is ready, and you want to be the first to eat. Is that possible?” he asked.
The minister described Port Harcourt as a cosmopolitan city where winning elections is often difficult, adding that victories recorded there carry strong political significance.
He also claimed that Rivers State was unique for its ability to bring together leaders of the two major political parties to work as a team, a strategy he said played a key role in Tinubu’s emergence as 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.
Wike urged political leaders in the state to remain united and reminded them that leadership was not a permanent entitlement.
He added that good leadership requires openness to advice and a willingness to change when necessary.
“A bad leader is one who, when advised, remains reluctant to change. But a good leader is one who listens to his people,” he said.
The minister concluded by commending the Port Harcourt Local Government leadership for their cooperation and called on them to sustain the unity to deliver more dividends of governance to the people.
