The political landscape in Rivers State may witness renewed realignments in the coming year, following indications that the lingering political crisis and the much-publicised peace deal between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Governor Siminalayi Fubara, may not have been fully resolved.
This development followed Wike’s declaration on Saturday that political activities would resume from January 2026.
The FCT minister made the announcement during a briefing with stakeholders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Government Areas, shortly after the annual thanksgiving ceremony of the Chairman of the South-South Development Forum, Chibudom Nwuche, held in Ochigba community, Ahoada East LGA.
During the briefing, Wike criticised some political actors whom he accused of benefiting from the sacrifices made by others during the 2023 general elections that led to the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
According to him, when the political environment was tense during the electioneering period, many individuals failed to openly declare support for Tinubu.
Wike, however, maintained that he and his supporters stood firmly by the President when it mattered most.
“In 2023, it was difficult for so many people to come out to say, vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But we did it when it was tough for people to say, on your mandate we stand,” he said.
“And to the glory of God, on your mandate we stand today is very strong. You are the ones who made the mandate strong as far as Rivers State is concerned.”
The minister questioned those who have recently begun praising the President and claiming loyalty to his mandate, asking where they were when their support was most needed.
He noted that such individuals neither openly declared support for the President nor mobilised their followers to vote for him during the 2023 elections.
Wike assured his supporters that their sacrifices and struggles would not be in vain, though he did not mention specific names of those he accused of benefitting from the efforts of others.
While thanking his supporters in Ahoada, Wike announced that active political engagements would resume in the state from January 2026.
“And we are going forward from January next year. Let me inform you, we will start politics,” he said.
The FCT minister also emphasised the importance of honouring agreements, stressing that he would not be part of any arrangement that could not be implemented.
“You know me, I believe agreement is agreement. Anything you know you cannot do, don’t say it. Don’t enter into it,” he said.
“Whatever you have agreed in the morning, you must agree in the night. If we did not shout and stand firm when it mattered most, will they have shouted now?”
Wike stated that he has never hidden his political position in Nigeria, noting that he has become one of the most criticised politicians in the country because of his insistence on honouring agreements.
He reaffirmed that he and his supporters would continue to support President Tinubu.
The minister thanked the people of Ahoada for their sustained support over the years and assured them that there was no cause for concern, adding that events would unfold at the appropriate time.
The thanksgiving ceremony was attended by several political figures, including Senators Magnus Abe, Philip Aduda, Wilson Ake and Olaka Wogu.
Others in attendance included ambassador-designate Aaron Chukwuemeka, OCJ Okocha, Ferdinand Anabrabra and other party stakeholders.
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