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| Photo credit — Nyesom Wike |
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stated that his renewed political engagement in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections is driven by a desire to serve the people rather than personal benefit.
Speaking at a strategic consultative meeting with stakeholders of the Akpor Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, Wike emphasised that his involvement stems from a commitment to collective progress.
“My interest in Rivers State is for God to use me as a vessel to help our people. I am back here not for what I will get, but for what I will be to raise my people,” he said.
Wike stressed that politics should prioritise the shared interests of the people over lasting personal conflicts. “There is no permanent enemy in politics; what we have is permanent collective interest,” he declared. He added that leadership requires the capacity to accommodate both praise and criticism, comparing it to a “waste dustbin” that must absorb both good and bad.
The former Rivers State governor reaffirmed his unwavering political alignment with President Bola Tinubu, describing the partnership that led to his appointment as FCT Minister as a significant achievement that overcame conventional political barriers.
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“You know how difficult, you know how impossible it looked, but he made it possible for us to produce the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” Wike noted.
He urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, community figures, and residents across Obio-Akpor to unite behind a common political direction. “Obio-Akpor as a whole, whether you are a politician, whether you are a traditional ruler, whether you are a pastor, or whether you are a native doctor, I need everybody now because all of them will vote. For the purpose of voting and elections, we must bring everyone together,” he said.
Reflecting on his own political journey, Wike recalled that his two-term election as chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government was not automatic. “I was not elected two times because I was just Chairman. I was elected because people felt the impact of governance and because I related with the people.
Anywhere, whether for burial or thanksgiving, I was always identifying with them,” he stated.
Wike also addressed criticism of his willingness to engage former political opponents, arguing that true strength in politics comes from building a broader base of support rather than maintaining divisions.
He called on political actors in the state to focus on delivering tangible benefits to the people and expanding participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
The meeting forms part of ongoing grassroots mobilisation efforts by the FCT Minister in Rivers State as the 2027 polls approach.
Samuel O. Sulaimon is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Naijapiz. He covers News, Sports, Finance, Faiths, Education, Technology.
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