PORT HARCOURT – Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors in Rivers State, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, has hailed the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, for transforming Rivers State from a hotbed of political violence into a united political family ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Akawor, who spoke on Saturday on the sidelines of the Rainbow Coalition Luncheon for 2027 candidates in Port Harcourt, said Wike’s political strategy and leadership had helped end years of bitter rivalry, fear and bloodshed that once defined the state’s electoral process.
Describing the development as a feat of “political engineering,” Akawor recalled that Rivers State was once notorious for election-related violence, earning the disturbing nickname, “Rivers of Blood.”
“What has happened today is what I call political engineering. There was a time Rivers State was known as ‘Rivers of Blood’ because during elections and even party primaries, people disappeared or fled the state for fear of being killed,” he said.
According to him, the emergence of the Rainbow Coalition has changed the political narrative by bringing together leaders and supporters of different political parties under one platform in pursuit of peace, stability and development.
Akawor credited Wike with championing the coalition and fostering unity among political stakeholders who were once on opposing sides.
“Today, people from different political parties are sitting together, eating together and discussing the future of Rivers State. That was almost impossible in the past. This is a major achievement and a sign that Rivers politics has entered a new phase,” he stated.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to South Korea expressed confidence that the coalition would guarantee peaceful and credible elections in the state.
“Never again shall Rivers be called Rivers of Blood. We want Rivers of Peace. We want a state where politics is about development and progress, not violence and division,” he said.
Akawor further described Wike as one of the strongest supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying the FCT Minister had successfully mobilised political stakeholders in Rivers State to align with the President’s vision.
He disclosed that the Renewed Hope Ambassadors had expanded their grassroots mobilisation efforts across the state, including the inauguration of coordinators in all the 319 wards.
According to him, the coordinators have been tasked with taking the message of the Tinubu administration to communities across Rivers State and mobilising support for the government’s programmes.
“We have established structures in all the wards of Rivers State. Our coordinators are already engaging communities and enlightening the people on the achievements and vision of President Tinubu,” he said.
Akawor also commended President Tinubu for appointing Wike as FCT Minister, noting that the appointment had opened doors of opportunities for many Rivers indigenes.
He added that the people of Rivers State were already benefitting from several infrastructure projects and development initiatives being executed by the Federal Government and agencies such as the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).
The Rainbow Coalition luncheon attracted political leaders, party stakeholders, candidates and supporters from across Rivers State as preparations for the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum.
