The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he has politically parted ways with Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike stated that he would personally support a candidate he trusts to succeed Fubara, stressing that he would not repeat what he described as the political mistake of the 2023 elections.
The former Rivers State governor made the remarks while addressing his supporters over the weekend in Ahoada Local Government Area of the state.
According to him, agreements previously reached with Governor Fubara were allegedly breached, making continued political cooperation impossible.
“We will not make the mistake we made in 2023,” Wike said, insisting that no individual would dictate political decisions to him in Rivers State.
He dismissed claims that political slogans, rallies or public chants would automatically secure an electoral ticket for any aspirant.
Wike clarified that although Governor Fubara recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), his own support for President Bola Tinubu does not translate into backing Fubara’s re-election bid.
The FCT minister reiterated his loyalty to President Tinubu, saying the president deserved a second term based on what he described as goodwill shown to Rivers State, including his appointment as FCT minister.
However, he emphasized that political decisions in Rivers State would be guided strictly by trust and personal interest.
“So, if you like, shout ‘on your mandate’ 50 times a day, it will not give you an automatic ticket. If you like, bring everybody and shout ‘on your mandate’, that is not an automatic ticket,” Wike said.
“Politics is about interest,” he added, stressing that he would only support a candidate he can trust completely and “sleep with his eyes closed,” without fear of betrayal.
