‘Dont take our suport for Tinubu for granted, leave Rivers alone,’ Wike warns APC National Secretary, others ( Video )

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning to national political actors to refrain from interfering in Rivers State’s political affairs, stressing that the state’s decisions, particularly its support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, were deliberate, collective, and must not be undermined.

Speaking during a visit to Oyigbo Local Government Area, Wike highlighted Rivers’ unique political position, noting that it was the only state in Nigeria where the two dominant political parties collaborated openly during the last general elections. He said the decision was made in good faith, with significant political risk.

“Let me warn those who come to Rivers State…tell the National Secretary to leave Rivers State alone. Go and ask those who have tried it before,” Wike said.

He cautioned that careless statements about Rivers politics could diminish the sacrifices made by local political actors. “Don’t take our support for Mr President for granted. You have to be careful with the statements you make. Today, you are enjoying your position, but you don’t know those who did the work,” he added.

Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Wike described the cross-party alignment as a bold but necessary move that ultimately yielded positive results. “In 2023, it was tough. We took a decision without knowing where it would lead us. But in life, you must take a risk. For the glory of God, see where we are today,” he said.

Wike further emphasized Rivers State’s political distinctiveness, challenging other states to replicate the collaboration between major parties seen in Rivers. “This is the only state where you saw the two main parties working together. We did it in 2023. We said, ‘President, take this one; our party will take this one,’ and that was exactly what happened,” he said.

The minister expressed gratitude to the people of Oyigbo for their consistent political support. “It would be wrong for me to take your support for granted. We are not ungrateful people. We appreciate what God used you to do for us,” he said.

He reiterated that Rivers had firmly taken its political stance and would not be swayed by external pressure. “Rivers State has taken a decision. We are not taking a decision today—we took it already. Nobody forced us,” Wike stated.

The minister also criticized political abandonment, alleging that some actors encouraged confrontation but retreated when consequences followed. “That is how they pushed the young man into trouble. When the trouble came, they ran away. There is no coming back to that. Rivers State has taken a decision,” he warned.

He concluded by urging restraint and respect for the state’s autonomy: “Take what you are taking and stop making unnecessary comments. Leave Rivers State alone. We know what we are doing,” Wike said.

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