The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned politicians against assuming that joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) or publicly declaring loyalty to President Bola Tinubu automatically guarantees a second-term ticket.
Wike issued the warning on Tuesday while addressing supporters during a political engagement in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, as part of his ongoing consultations across the state.
The minister, who was received by the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area, Chidi Lloyd, alongside traditional ruler Sergeant Awuse and other party leaders, used the occasion to restate his long-held views on political loyalty, relevance, and structured agreements.
Addressing the gathering, Wike stressed that the Ikwerre ethnic nationality must remain visible and influential in Nigeria’s political landscape, warning against complacency and political marginalisation.
He said political relevance is achieved through strategic positioning and consistency, not by aligning with winning platforms after electoral victories have already been secured.
The former Rivers State governor cautioned that merely professing support for President Tinubu, particularly after the 2023 general elections, should not be misconstrued as a guaranteed route to re-election.
Wike insisted that politics must be guided by clearly defined agreements, adding that promises made must be honoured, and noting that loyalty without structure or commitment carries no guarantees.
Earlier, the Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area reaffirmed the council’s support for President Tinubu and Wike, declaring that the local government remained firmly aligned with their political direction.
From Emohua, the minister proceeded to Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area, where he delivered a similar message. There, the Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency and former council chairman, Samuel Nwanosike, pledged the area’s continued support for Wike, dismissing claims that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could gain a foothold in the council.
Political observers note that Wike’s engagements across Ikwerre land signal a calculated effort to consolidate his political base, while his remarks point to emerging realignments and possible tensions ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle in Rivers State.
