The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has cautioned national political leaders against interfering in Rivers State affairs, insisting that the state’s political choices, including its support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 elections, were deliberate decisions that should not be taken for granted.
Speaking in Oyigbo Local Government Area, Wike said Rivers State made a bold and calculated political move during the last general election, noting that it was the only state where the two dominant political parties openly worked together. He stressed that the decision was made in good faith and involved significant political risk.
Wike warned against careless remarks by national party officials, saying such comments undermine the sacrifices made by Rivers political actors. He urged those benefitting from current political positions to remember the groundwork laid by others, adding that Rivers’ support for the president was earned through hard work, not entitlement.
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Wike said the alliance across party lines was difficult but necessary, describing it as a risk that ultimately paid off. He maintained that Rivers took the decision independently, without coercion, and emerged successful at the polls.
He described Rivers as politically unique, challenging other states to replicate the level of cooperation achieved between rival parties during the election. According to him, the arrangement was clear, strategic, and faithfully executed, producing the intended outcomes.
Wike concluded by insisting that Rivers State has already taken its political stand and will not be pressured into reversing it. He called for respect for the state’s autonomy and warned against encouraging political actions only to abandon those who bear the consequences, stressing that Rivers knows exactly what it is doing .
