Rivers: Wike dares Tinubu

…says ‘nobody will give me instructions as far as Rivers is concerned’

By Jude Opara with agency report

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that anyone, including President Bola Tinubu, would issue him political instructions concerning Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general election.

Wike made the remark while addressing his supporters over the weekend in Ahoada Local Government Area of the state.

According to him, reports that people were boasting that the president would call and direct him on political matters in Rivers State were false.

He stressed that no individual had the authority to give him instructions on the state’s political affairs, adding that repeated chants of “on your mandate” would not automatically guarantee any aspirant an election ticket, seemingly referring to Rivers Governor Siminalyi Fubara.

It would be recalled that Gov Fubara recently defected to the All Progressives Congress, (APC).

However, Wike reiterated that political decisions in Rivers State would be based on his judgment and interests, not external influence.

He said: “I hear that people are boasting that they (President Tinubu) will call me and give me instructions. Let me tell you, there’s nothing like instruction as far as Rivers State is concerned. Nobody will call me. If you like shout ‘on your mandate’ 50 times a day, it won’t give you an automatic ticket.”“It is also worth emphasising the competence of our current National Chairman. His administrative prowess and ability to harmonise diverse interests within the party have been evident since his emergence. Under his stewardship, the APC is not only stable but also poised for continued victories,” he added.

Stevens equally assured that the APC remains robust, inclusive, and forward-looking, stressing that no amount of fear-mongering or self-serving commentary will derail the progress the party is making.

Describing Governor Diri’s defection as a welcome development, he added, “We remain confident in the leadership of President Tinubu and our party’s national executives.”