***‘Supporting Tinubu means supporting prosperity,’ FCT minister tells monarchs
***Ogba monarch declares kingdom’s backing for President
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken his political consultations to Ogba Kingdom in Rivers State, urging traditional rulers and residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Wike made the appeal on Saturday during a visit to the palace of the Oba of Ogba Land, Nwachukwu Obuoha-Obi III, in Omoku, Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Addressing the traditional council, the minister declared that supporting Tinubu was a way of supporting prosperity, arguing that the President’s policies and leadership would influence the economic well-being, infrastructure and future of communities across the country.
He acknowledged that traditional rulers were expected to remain non-partisan but maintained that decisions taken by political leaders directly affected their subjects.
“I know you are not a politician, but you are a Nigerian and a Rivers person, and whatever those in politics do will affect you.
“That is why we want to inform you and your council so that your people will not make a mistake in 2027,” Wike said.
The minister urged the people to assess political leaders based on their records in office rather than campaign promises, citing what he described as Tinubu’s bold economic reforms and commitment to infrastructure development.
Wike also referred to his tenure as Rivers State governor, saying his administration executed projects across the state and did not abandon the people of Ogba Land.
“I am here because while I was governor, I could point at what I had done for the people. During my tenure, I never abandoned your people.
“That is the essence of government making the people feel the impact,” he said.
Wike tackles opposition
The FCT minister also questioned the contributions of opposition politicians who had previously occupied prominent public offices, particularly former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, whom he referred to in discussing the opposition’s political platform ahead of 2027.
He challenged Amaechi’s record on development in the Niger Delta, alleging that strategic seaports in Port Harcourt, Calabar and Warri had suffered neglect.
“Before we support anyone, we must ask: the opportunity we gave you before, what did you do with it?” he asked.
Defending the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, Wike argued that addressing Nigeria’s longstanding economic challenges required sustained interventions rather than promises of immediate relief.
He acknowledged the difficulties associated with the current economic adjustments but insisted that rebuilding an economy weakened by structural problems would take time.
“Solving the economy is not like going to a prayer house for instant healing. It is a process. The economy was in a comatose state, but we are seeing the results, and there is hope that these issues will be fully sorted out,” he said.
Wike also cautioned the traditional rulers against supporting presidential candidates he criticised for repeatedly seeking political office without, in his view, presenting a clear development agenda.
He specifically referenced Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while questioning the motivations of some opposition politicians.
The minister urged Rivers residents to support candidates aligned with the ruling party across the executive and legislative arms of government, arguing that such alignment would improve coordination, representation and access to federal support.
“The President is doing quite well. Let us work together and maintain synergy to ensure our state remains strategically positioned,” he said.
Monarch declares support
Responding, the Oba of Ogba Land, Nwachukwu Obuoha-Obi III, expressed support for Tinubu’s leadership, declaring that the kingdom was united behind the President.
The monarch criticised what he described as attempts to frustrate another person’s pursuit of progress, saying such conduct was undesirable.
“It is only a wicked man whose heart has no God in it, that sees his brother going for something good and he begins to pull the building on his bed. Such one should not prosper,” he said.
Obuoha-Obi said support for the President was important to securing political representation, economic development and sustainable progress for the people of Ogba Land.
He also praised Wike’s record in public service, saying the minister’s performance in the FCT had brought recognition to Rivers State.
The monarch said Wike’s appointment and achievements demonstrated the importance of leadership anchored on capacity, character and performance.
