In the midst of Rivers State's escalating political crisis, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday, January 10, 2026, asserted his unassailable political dominance, declaring that no individual or group could dislodge his loyalists from their influential position in the state. Wike made the bold statement during a "thank-you" visit to the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area (LGA) secretariat, where he addressed party leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youth groups.
The visit forms part of Wike's ongoing tour across all 23 local government areas in Rivers State. The tour, which began earlier in January 2026, aims to express gratitude to supporters for their pivotal role in delivering victory to President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general elections and to mobilize continued backing for Tinubu's anticipated re-election bid in 2027.
Wike, the former two-term governor of Rivers State (2015–2023), emphasized the resilience of his political camp amid persistent threats and attacks since the 2023 polls. “Nobody in this state can push us out. We have led this war since 2023 and we have never reneged,” he declared. “There was no amount of threats that did not come, yet we stood firm.”
Highlighting the sacrifices made by his supporters, Wike positioned Rivers as the most reliable stronghold for President Tinubu and the Renewed Hope agenda. “If there is one state the President knows he can go home and sleep with his two eyes closed, it is Rivers State,” he said, underscoring the state's unwavering loyalty from the outset of Tinubu's 2023 presidential campaign.
The minister accused certain politicians of opportunism, claiming they failed to support Tinubu initially but now seek to lead the Renewed Hope agenda. “In 2023, we led the war here. We were the Renewed Hope agenda people from the beginning,” Wike stated. “Those who went elsewhere and supported Abubakar, and could not even give him 10 per cent, now want to lead the Renewed Hope agenda. Is it possible? You failed.”
Employing a vivid metaphor to drive his point home, he likened these politicians to latecomers at a feast: “You did not buy the pepper, you did not buy the salt, you did not buy the oil. Suddenly the food is ready and you want to eat first. Is that possible?”
Wike described Port Harcourt City as a particularly challenging electoral terrain due to its cosmopolitan nature, where diverse populations and competing interests make victories hard-won but meaningful. “This is a cosmopolitan city where winning elections is particularly challenging,” he noted, adding that any success there carries significant weight.
He further praised the unique political alignment in Rivers, which he said transcends traditional party lines. “This is the only state where you can see the leadership of two major political parties working as a team,” Wike said. “Out of the 36 states and the FCT, name one that can do that. That is what produced Mr President.” This cross-party collaboration, often referred to as the "Rainbow Coalition" or "Renewed Hope Family," has been credited by Wike for Tinubu's victory in 2023 and is being positioned as the foundation for future successes.
The minister urged leaders across the state to emulate Rivers' model of unity rather than harbor resentment. He called for humility and responsiveness in leadership, stating, “Leadership is not a birthright. A bad leader is one who refuses to change when advised. A good leader listens to the people.” He commended the Port Harcourt City LGA leadership for their cooperation and encouraged sustained unity to attract more development.
Wike's remarks come against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Rivers State. Just days earlier, on January 8, 2026, the State House of Assembly initiated fresh impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara, a move widely seen as aligned with Wike's interests amid their longstanding rift. Fubara, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in December 2025, has faced multiple challenges to his authority, including earlier attempts at impeachment and a brief state of emergency in 2025.
Despite the crisis, Wike has maintained that his focus remains on consolidating support for Tinubu's Renewed Hope agenda while reinforcing his influence. His tour has included stops in areas like Andoni, Bonny, Degema, and others, where he has consistently rallied supporters around unity, loyalty, and development dividends from federal backing.
Analysts view Wike's statements as a direct response to perceived threats from defectors and rivals attempting to encroach on his political structure. The minister's tour and rhetoric signal an intent to maintain control over Rivers' political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, where he has vowed that his coalition will secure key positions.
As Rivers continues to grapple with factionalism, power struggles, and governance challenges, Wike's latest assertions underscore the enduring impact of godfatherism in Nigerian sub-national politics and the strategic importance of the oil-rich state in national calculations.
