The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed attempts by political opponents to weaken his influence in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying political victories are won at the grassroots, not on social media.
Speaking against the backdrop of political realignments and opposition efforts to build a coalition against his political structure, Wike said his years of experience had taught him that political battles are ultimately decided by the people.
He also expressed confidence in the ongoing reconciliation between him and Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, saying the governor had demonstrated sincerity in implementing the agreements reached between them.
‘As far as I am concerned, I don’t have any doubt that the governor is sincere. We have met and agreed on certain things. Before he travelled out, he told us he was going to submit a list of the members of his team that will form part of the campaign council, which he has done,’ Wike said.
According to him, disagreements among political actors supporting the reconciliation process should not be interpreted as a breakdown of the agreement.
‘When a leader says, ‘Look gentlemen, this is what I think,’ some people may not take it easy. It takes time. But on the part of the Governor, he is giving that support,’ he said.
Wike urged those yet to embrace reconciliation to give the process time, stressing that the overriding objective should be to work together.
The FCT Minister also took a swipe at claims by supporters of the Labour Party and the ‘Obidient’ movement that they won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State.
He said such claims were based on results from limited polling units in urban areas and did not reflect the overall result declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
‘They won by their own imagination. When did INEC declare that they won?’ Wike asked.
He said Rivers State had more than 7,000 polling units and argued that victory could not be determined by results posted from a few polling units in Port Harcourt.
‘You see 50 polling units coming out to say ‘Obi has won’ in Port Harcourt, and they take it to the bank. What about the remaining 6,900-plus polling units?’ he said.
Wike added: ‘You can win on social media, but I am talking practically about the results on the ground.’
Wike traced his political survival to his grassroots connection, recalling his emergence as chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Council in 1999 and his subsequent re-election in 2004.
He also recalled the circumstances surrounding his victory in the 2015 governorship election against the backdrop of the political influence of former Governor and minister, Rotimi Amaechi.
‘In 2015, Rotimi Amaechi was Governor. They said because we are from the same area, it would be impossible for me to win. I said the people would decide. At the end of the day, I won,’ he recalled.
Wike described the 2019 governorship election as one of the most difficult political battles of his career, alleging that federal forces were mobilised against his re-election.
‘In 2019, I had federal might against me. The General Officer Commanding (GOC) took it upon himself to ensure I was never returned. I saw soldiers; the Minister of Transportation was dictating terms, and the INEC office was practically moved to the division,’ he alleged.
Despite the alleged pressure, Wike said he emerged victorious because of his relationship with the people.
‘Yet, despite everything that was done, I won. Why? Because when you are with your people, and they appreciate what you are doing, federal forces cannot stop you,’ he said.
Wike also disclosed, for the first time publicly, a conversation he had with his late friend and former Group Managing Director of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, shortly before the 2019 governorship election.
According to him, Wigwe visited him at the Rivers State Government House three days before the election and expressed concern about the political situation and his safety.
‘I am saying this for the first time; nobody knew,’ Wike said.
Recounting the encounter, he said Wigwe took him aside, hugged him and asked how he was preparing for the election.
Wike quoted Wigwe as asking: ‘Look, everything is being done to ensure you cannot be returned. Is there any way I can help you adjust and save yourself?’
Wike said he rejected the suggestion, insisting that he had done nothing wrong and was confident of victory.
‘I told him, ‘Herbert, I have nothing to save myself from because I have done nothing wrong. But let heaven come down, I am going to win this election’, he recalled.
According to Wike, Wigwe later travelled out of the country but called him from Miami after the election to congratulate him on his victory.
‘He called me all the way from Miami and said, ‘Nyesom, you won!’ I told him I knew I would, because leadership is about staying true to your people,’ Wike said.
Looking ahead to 2027, Wike said political calculations and alliances would not automatically translate into electoral victory.
He recalled his decision during the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential primary and the subsequent political developments, saying leaders must sometimes take difficult positions rather than simply follow popular sentiment within political circles.
‘Leadership is not about being unable to tell your people the truth,’ he said.
Responding to those who believe the political equation in Rivers would be different in 2027, Wike said: ‘So when people gather and say 2027 will not be like 2023, I laugh. Let them come to the grassroots and meet the people’.