No automatic tickets for late loyalty, Wike tells supporters in rivers
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned politicians that joining the All Progressives Congress or openly professing loyalty to President Bola Tinubu does not automatically guarantee 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 former Rivers State governor, 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 and the sanctity of political agreements.
Addressing the crowd, Wike stressed that the Ikwerre ethnic nationality must remain relevant in Nigeria’s political equation, warning against complacency and political marginalisation. He argued that political relevance is earned through strategic choices and consistency, not by aligning with power after electoral victories have already been secured.
According to him, merely declaring support for President Tinubu, particularly after the 2023 general elections, should not be mistaken for an automatic pathway to re-election. He cautioned that politics is driven by clearly defined agreements, insisting that promises must be honoured and that loyalty without structure or commitment carries no guarantees.
Wike’s remarks appeared aimed at politicians seeking political protection through late defections or public endorsements, as he maintained that political relationships must be anchored on trust and mutual understanding rather than opportunism.
Speaking earlier, the council chairman reaffirmed Emohua’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. At the event, Samuel Nwanosike, Chairman of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency and former council chairman, pledged the area’s continued support for Wike and dismissed claims that the African Democratic Congress could gain any political foothold in the council.
Political observers say Wike’s engagements across Ikwerre land point to a calculated effort to consolidate his political base, even as his comments hint at possible realignments and rising tensions ahead of the next electoral cycle in Rivers State.