Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged political leaders and community stakeholders in Rivers State, one of Nigeria’s major oil producing states in the southern Niger Delta region, to embrace unity and cooperation in order to deepen democratic dividends for residents.
Wike made the call on Friday during a thank you visit to Andoni Local Government Area, a coastal council located in Rivers State, Nigeria. The visit formed part of his ongoing tour across the state to appreciate communities for their support for President Ahmed Bola Tinubu of Nigeria during the 2023 general elections.
The former Governor of Rivers State explained that the visit to Andoni marked the twentieth stop in his statewide thank you tour, which he said was also aimed at strengthening political alignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to him, the tour was designed to reinforce collaboration among political actors across party lines.
Okay News reports that Wike highlighted the formation of what he described as a broad political alliance involving major political groups in Rivers State, which he referred to as a Rainbow Coalition operating under the Renewed Hope political platform associated with the Tinubu administration.
Addressing traditional rulers, political leaders, and residents, the Minister stressed that unity among leaders had already begun to yield positive results for communities in the state, including Andoni. He warned against the politics of dominance by a single individual, noting that collective leadership was now essential for development.
“See what unity has done. It is no longer a time when one man will be the Iroko, where one man will decide what good will come to Andoni. By the special grace of God, by the unity of the leaders, more will come to Andoni,” Wike said.
He further encouraged leaders and residents to remain committed to supporting President Tinubu’s administration, stating that the political direction of Rivers State ahead of 2027 had already been settled.
“And so I want all of you to continue to play that role you played in 2023 by making sure we continue to support Ahmed Bola Tinubu. There is no negotiation about that,” he added.
Wike also hinted that discussions surrounding internal political issues within the state would be addressed at a later time, while noting that strategic errors made during the 2023 elections would not be repeated.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Andoni Local Government Area, Lucky Otuo, welcomed the Minister to the area and expressed appreciation for the visit. He assured Wike that the people of Andoni remained firmly committed to supporting President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
“Andoni people are grateful people. We are grateful to you. Your Excellency, come 2027, Andoni people will vote for Mr President,” Otuo said.
He further issued a strong warning to political opponents, declaring that the people of Andoni would resist any attempt to challenge their political choice.
“From 2027, if you do not believe in our mandate, nobody will step into this land of Andoni. They will see fire. Tinubu is our mandate. If you do not believe in our mandate, you will see fire,” he added.
