2027 Elections: I haven’t endorsed anyone, Wike insists

Loyalists of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike, have put their 2027 ambitions on hold ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Most of them warming up for governorship, state and federal legislative elections, were said to have slowed down on their consultations after attending Wike’s political family meetings in Abuja.

They were said to have decided to wait for the directives of the minister before making their ambitions public.

It was gathered that the delay by the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, to publicly announce his future political ambition was based on Wike’s body language.

Sources said Wike had foreclosed supporting Fubara for a second term, but was willing to return almost all members of the House of Assembly, who stood firm and supported him during the crisis between him and the governor.

Wike’s recent utterances compelled the Executive Director of Finance, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Boma Iyaye, to deny viral reports claiming that he was the minister’s favourite to replace Fubara.

The Minister, while hosting a pre-convention convergence of Rivers APC members in Abuja, rebuked the claims, describing them as false.

Iyaye, who was afraid not to fall out with the minister, immediately distanced himself from the report.

It was, however, gathered that Wike kept the choice of his preferred governorship candidate to his chest as he was said to be preparing to first secure the endorsement of the elders in his camp.

It was gathered that members of Wike’s political family further became cautious after the minister hosted them in his Abuja home under the auspices of the Rainbow Coalition.

The Minister reportedly insisted that he had not endorsed anybody, adding that he would support any candidate of proven character, despite his ethnic origin.

Wike was quoted as saying: “We have not endorsed anybody for any position. We are only saying that we wouldn’t be here today if members of the state assembly had betrayed us . We are here with this number of supporters because the assembly stood firm. I don’t abandon people who make sacrifices.

“I have not promised anybody anything as it concerns 2027. I have not endorsed anybody for any position, from the Senate, reps, governorship or state assembly.

“The only person I have declared support for in 2027 is President Bola Tinubu. Don’t allow anybody to deceive you to lose the little you already have . Those promising to sponsor you will disappear when the time comes.”

The minister reiterated that decamping to the APC was not a guarantee for a second term ticket.

He said, “Decamping to the APC is not an automatic ticket for a second term. You must show your report card.”

The minister described his Rainbow Coalition as unique in the history of the country, saying there was never a time the ruling party and the main opposition closed ranks to work together.

Wike said: “The Rainbow Coalition in Rivers State is the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria. It is unprecedented to have the ruling party and the main opposition party working together in the interest of our state.

“Some people may not be happy that the two major political parties are working together under a joint coalition in Rivers State, but they can hug the transformer .

“I don’t know how many states can have the two major political parties working together without fighting each other.

“I can’t fall for any temptation or trap set by anybody. Nothing is secret in politics. We know all the things that are going on, but they’re of no effect.

“Those of you sending people to preach ethnicity, it will not work . I will work with those who are sincere, not minding where the person comes from.”

Wike flayed some persons he said had started aligning with governors of other states to make one of them a governor.

He insisted that no governor from another state would bypass him to determine the political future of Rivers.

He said: “Those of you aligning yourselves with governors from other states, you’re wasting your time. No governor of any state can influence what will happen in Rivers State, as far as we are concerned, not even one . They will deceive you and abandon you.

“For those of you who think you have money to spend, you just know that I’m prepared. That you come to my house everyday or follow me doesn’t mean that you can be trusted . We know those who can be trusted.

“Some people, once you give them the opportunity, the next moment they will tell you to go to hell because they’re making money from the position , they forget that the money will finish one day, and they begin to look for how to get back .

“Woe unto anybody we have given an appointment that now turns around to castigate us. You carry somebody who says, ” Come and work here , ” and suddenly they forget how they got their job , now everybody is their mentor

“Please, nobody should send me messages asking whether I have endorsed anybody. I have not . When we want to do that , the elders will know, and it won’t be done in secret.”