Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has declared that the 2027 election in Rivers State will be the easiest political contest he has faced, despite moves by some politicians to challenge his influence in the state.
Wike spoke on Monday during TVC’s Journalists Hangout in Abuja, where he also addressed the reconciliation between his political camp and that of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The former Rivers governor said his confidence was based on his long political experience, his relationship with the people and what he described as his record of developing political leaders.
“I’ve never had an election that has been easy, but this one will be the easiest, this one will be the easiest election as far as I know,” Wike declared.
He challenged those seeking to unseat his political structure to explain what they would offer Rivers people that would make them abandon the political direction he supports.
“The factors are clear. Who are the candidates? What are you going to tell Rivers people now? What will you present to Rivers people that will make them believe that following you will be more beneficial to them than what they are having today?” he asked.
Wike said his political influence was not built merely on occupying public office but on empowering people who could provide leadership beyond his own tenure.
“You see, for you to win election, you have to ask, ‘Who have you made?’ My brother, I can tell you, by the grace of God, God helping me, putting me in position, I have used this position to build men and women,” he said.
According to him, political leadership should be about creating a structure capable of surviving beyond an individual.
“I have used this position to make man to say, ‘Even if I’m not here tomorrow, continue.’ This is the way we are supposed to be. This is the way we are supposed to be. It’s not about you,” Wike added.
Wike: Fubara has kept to his word
On the reconciliation process in Rivers State, Wike expressed confidence in Governor Fubara’s sincerity, saying the governor had supported agreements reached between the two camps.
“As far as I’m concerned, I want to tell you assertively that I don’t have any doubt that the Governor is not sincere, I don’t have any doubt. We’ve met and we’ve agreed on certain things,” the minister said.
Wike disclosed that Fubara had submitted a list of members of his team who would participate in the campaign council, describing the step as part of the implementation of the agreements reached.
He added that some of the governor’s supporters had also indicated their acceptance of the decisions reached during the reconciliation process.
The minister, however, acknowledged that some supporters might need time to adjust to the new political reality, stressing that reconciliation could not be achieved overnight.
“But for the Governor, I can say he’s done well. And I’m most really satisfied that it’s not a lie to what he has said,” Wike stated.
