The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has issued a stark political warning in his home state of Rivers, declaring that power in the 2027 elections will not be gifted based on last-minute loyalty or slogan-chasing, but must be earned through demonstrated trust and grassroots credibility.

Speaking on Monday during a thank-you visit to Omuma Local Government Area, the former Rivers governor set the tone for what promises to be a fiercely contested political season, distancing himself from campaign rhetoric and asserting his alignment with President Bola Tinubu.

A Warning Against Opportunism

In a clear message to aspirants, Wike dismissed political opportunism, stating that relevance cannot be bought or assumed through media hype. “Power is not given freely. Politics is not a gift. Mandates are earned, defended and protected. Nobody dashes power,” he declared.

He stressed that his visit was apolitical in nature, focused solely on gratitude. “I did not come here to play politics. I came here for one clear reason: to say thank you. All this while, you have stood with us, even when many believed we were finished politically,” Wike told supporters.

Principles Over Party: Revisiting 2023

Wike revisited the principles that guided his much-debated stance in the 2023 presidential election, framing it as a matter of national equity rather than partisan loyalty.

“It was not about party politics. It was about equity, fairness and justice… Equity demanded that the presidency return to the South, and we stood firmly on that principle,” he explained, justifying his support for Tinubu, the southern candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Showcasing Strength and Issuing a 2027 Battle Cry

Highlighting the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) continued dominance at the state level in Rivers, Wike pointed to its sweep of the Senate, House of Representatives, State Assembly, and governorship seats as proof of enduring political strength.

Looking ahead, he issued a clear battle cry for 2027, warning allies to be prepared and removing any ambiguity about his national alignment.

“From January, politics begins. Be prepared… Whatever the President says, know that is exactly where I stand. There is alignment. There is clarity. There is no ambiguity,” Wike stated, firmly tying his political fortunes to Tinubu’s agenda.

The Paramountcy of Trust and Integrity

The minister concluded by emphasizing the non-negotiable value of integrity and loyalty in politics. “Trust is everything. Agreements matter, whether written or verbal. No amount of money should make anyone abandon integrity,” he stated, drawing a line between steadfast allies and fair-weather followers.

His final warning reiterated the core message: “If you choose one direction or another, that is your decision. But understand this clearly: power is not for dash.”

The speech solidifies Wike’s position as a kingmaker who will demand proven loyalty, while also formally announcing his full political alignment with President Tinubu as the battle for 2027 begins to take shape.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barrister Nyesom Wike, has offered a staunch legal defense for the Peoples Democratic Party’s decision to establish a 13-member caretaker committee, framing it as an obligatory move mandated by the expiration of party offices and binding court judgments.

Wike, a former PDP governor and a key figure in its recent internal crisis, made these remarks during his year-end media chat in Port Harcourt on Monday.

A Constitutional and Legal Imperative

Wike argued that the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) was left with no alternative after the tenure of the previous national officers lapsed.

“NEC had no choice. If the executive has expired, somebody must run the affairs of the party,” he stated, positioning the caretaker committee as a necessary administrative bridge.

The minister anchored his argument on judicial authority, questioning the tactics of opposing party factions. He specifically faulted attempts to use interim court orders to challenge the NEC’s decision.

“How can an ex-parte order override two substantive judgments of the Federal High Court?” he asked, implying that the caretaker committee’s establishment had a firmer legal foundation.

Backing INEC’s Stance on Due Process

Wike also expressed support for the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which declined to recognize a national convention held by a rival faction within the PDP.

“INEC was not part of that so-called convention, and INEC was right,” he said, endorsing the electoral umpire’s insistence on strict adherence to due process and party guidelines.

Context: The Latest in a Series of Rebukes

This defense is the latest in a series of pointed critiques Wike has leveled at the PDP’s internal management over the past week. In earlier segments of the same media chat, he:

· Accused party leaders of destroying the PDP through “selfish ambition.”

· Denied allegations of promising to “hold” the party for President Bola Tinubu.

· Explained that the split of the G5 governors was based on the political principle of zoning.

· Blasted unnamed party actors for treating politics like a “contract business” devoid of grassroots structure.

An Ongoing Battle for Legitimacy

By justifying the caretaker committee on constitutional and legal grounds, Wike seeks to portray his faction’s actions as the legitimate, rule-based path forward. Conversely, he frames the opposition’s reliance on ex-parte orders and disputed conventions as procedural failures.

The establishment of the caretaker committee remains a central point of contention in the PDP’s unresolved leadership crisis, with legal battles likely to continue as the party struggles to reorganize.