Wike Explains Why Fubara Won’t Get Second-Term Support, Criticizes Peter Obi’s Political Style
Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why his political camp decided not to support Governor Siminalayi Fubara for a second term, citing concerns over the future of Rivers State and the influence of external political interests.
Speaking on the political situation in Rivers State, Wike said there was a period when key stakeholders agreed to move beyond past disagreements. However, according to him, fresh political realities made it necessary to reconsider their position.
He stated that members of his political group feared that allowing certain developments to continue would weaken their political relevance and open the door for outside forces to take control of the state’s political structure.
According to Wike, Rivers State remains a strategic state that some powerful interests allegedly view as a source of political and economic advantage. He insisted that his camp would not allow such groups to hijack the state.
“There was a time we all agreed to let bygones be bygones, but something fundamental came up in politics,” Wike said. “We concluded that if we allowed it, some people would ensure we were no longer politically relevant. There are also external forces that want to hijack Rivers State because they see it as a cash cow, and we cannot permit that.”
Looking ahead to the 2027 general elections, Wike expressed confidence in the political strength of his camp in Rivers State. He declared that anyone expecting to win the state without the backing of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should rethink such expectations.
According to him, Tinubu remains the key political figure whose influence will shape the outcome in Rivers State during the next election cycle.
In the same remarks, Wike also commented on Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, saying he knows him personally but disagrees with what he described as politics aimed at winning public sympathy.
Wike said he prefers leaders who keep their promises and whose actions align with their words. While acknowledging his familiarity with Obi, he criticized what he described as symbolic public appearances designed to attract political support.
“I prefer a candidate whose words match his actions. I know Peter Obi very well,” Wike said.
He further argued that he never engaged in public gestures, such as celebrating birthdays in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps or motherless babies’ homes, simply to boost his political image while he served as governor.
According to Wike, leadership should be defined by performance and sincerity rather than carefully staged public relations activities intended to appeal to voters.
ALSO READ: FG Unveils Seven-Week Roadmap for National Policing Bill, Invites Nigerians to Submit Proposals
His comments are expected to fuel fresh political debate as preparations for the 2027 elections continue, particularly over the future of Rivers State politics and the strategies political leaders adopt to win public support.
