The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will not allow himself to be “buried politically,” as he openly canvassed support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike made the remarks while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he urged his supporters to fully mobilise for Tinubu’s success in the next polls.
The former Rivers State governor disclosed that a clear political decision has already been taken regarding both Tinubu’s re-election and Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s second-term ambition.
“We have made a decision as far as Tinubu is concerned. The other one (Fubara) — no way. If we make another mistake, then we will go and bury ourselves politically,” Wike said.
“I will not allow myself to be buried. I will not allow that mistake again,” he added.
Wike recently renewed public criticism of Fubara following the Rivers governor’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on December 9.
The FCT minister accused Fubara of violating the peace agreement reached before the lifting of the emergency rule in Rivers State, which enabled the governor’s return to office. According to Wike, the agreement was meant to stabilise governance in the state.
Last Tuesday, Wike stated that what he described as a “leadership mistake” in Rivers would be corrected in 2027, adding that details of the peace agreement would be made public at the appropriate time.
In a further address to stakeholders, the former governor emphasised that leaders are expected to act in line with the will of the people rather than personal interests.
“We will not make the same mistake again at the state level in 2027. But we will talk about it later when the time comes,” he said.
Wike also dismissed suggestions that Fubara’s support for Tinubu could guarantee him a second term, noting that he had already backed Tinubu even before the governor joined the APC.
“If you played well with the first one and succeeded, do you think you can succeed with the second one? There cannot be two markets in one day,” Wike said while addressing stakeholders in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area last Friday.
In an apparent reference to the peace agreements signed with Fubara, Wike cautioned against misplaced assurances.
“Whoever is assuring you that everything will be fine once you sign on your mandate, you are mistaken,” he said.
He reaffirmed his political camp’s commitment to President Tinubu, stressing that lessons had been learned from past decisions.
“All of us have decided to work for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. There is no discussion about that. We will not repeat the mistake we made last time. We are here to correct it, and we will do everything possible to give Tinubu the total support required,” Wike stated.
2027: Wike Backs Tinubu, Rules Out Support for Fubara’s Second Term Ahead of the 2027 general elections
