…Says don’t entrust your destiny to ‘kalokalo’ people
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing them as political gamblers ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike warned the people of Rivers State against entrusting their political future to politicians he accused of pursuing presidential ambitions without a clear vision for the country.
The minister spoke during a Rainbow Coalition town hall meeting in Ayama, Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he mobilised support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Addressing traditional rulers, party faithful and community stakeholders, Wike urged Nigerians to judge political leaders by their records in public office, developmental achievements and capacity to deliver on their promises.
“Don’t trust your destiny to political gamblers. Don’t trust your destiny to ‘kalokalo’ people,” he declared.
The FCT minister specifically mentioned Atiku, Amaechi and Obi, insisting that Nigerians should not surrender their future to politicians who repeatedly seek the presidency without convincing plans to address the country’s challenges.
“These people are political gamblers and you cannot give your destiny to ‘kalokalo’ people; you cannot hand over your destiny to political gamblers.
“Give a destiny to somebody who we know, who has tried all this, and he has done it,” Wike said.
He argued that repeated presidential contests did not automatically make a politician capable of governing the country, insisting that leadership should be based on a demonstrable record of performance and a clear development agenda.
Wike also challenged Amaechi to showcase his contributions to Abua/Odual, urging residents to assess political leaders based on projects delivered to their communities rather than campaign promises.
Defending his record as Rivers State governor, the minister maintained that tangible development should guide the people’s political decisions.
He also praised President Tinubu’s administration for what he described as efforts to stabilise critical sectors of the economy and restore industrial harmony in tertiary institutions.
Wike urged the people of Abua/Odual to support Tinubu and other candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition in the 2027 elections.
He called on residents to vote for Tinubu for president, Kingsley Chinda for governor, Felix Obua for Rivers West Senatorial District and Solomon Boss for the Abua/Odual-Ahoada East Federal Constituency, all under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also urged the electorate to support John Iderima, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Abua/Odual State Constituency.
Speaking at the gathering, Chinda commended Wike for his grassroots mobilisation efforts, saying the approach would be sustained if he emerged governor.
“This is a system that we will sustain when we come into government. We have learnt from him, and we will continue.
“It will be a bottom-up approach; the people will decide and determine their fate in government,” he said.
Earlier, Professor Continue Eketu, who spoke on behalf of the Abua/Odual communities, described Wike as his political idol and highlighted projects he said were executed in the local government area during the minister’s tenure as governor.
Eketu praised Wike’s leadership and declared that the communities had resolved to vote for candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition.
