Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has publicly confirmed that he has severed political ties with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, signalling a major realignment ahead of the country’s 2027 general elections.
Okay News reports that Wike made the disclosure while addressing supporters during a weekend gathering in Ahoada, a town in Rivers State in southern Nigeria. The former governor of the oil-rich state said irreconcilable differences and alleged breaches of prior agreements had made continued political cooperation with Fubara untenable.
“We will not make the mistake we made in 2023,” Wike told the crowd, stressing that he would personally back a successor he could trust rather than repeat what he described as past political errors.
The remarks follow Governor Fubara’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria’s ruling party. However, Wike was quick to clarify that Fubara’s move does not guarantee his support, despite Wike’s own public backing of President Bola Tinubu.
According to Wike, loyalty to the president and political decisions within Rivers State are separate matters. He reiterated his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that the president had shown goodwill toward Rivers people, including appointing him as minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory.
“My support for Mr President does not mean I will support everybody,” Wike said, emphasising that political trust, not party slogans or rallies, would determine his next move in Rivers politics.
He also dismissed suggestions that public chants or declarations of loyalty could automatically secure any aspirant a ticket for the 2027 race.
“So, if you like, shout ‘on your mandate’ 50 times a day, it will not give you an automatic ticket,” Wike said. “Politics is about interest. I will support someone I can rely on and sleep with my eyes closed.”
