The political landscape in Rivers State is shaping up to be an intriguing one in the coming year.
This follows indications that the lingering political crisis and the much-talked-about peace deal between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, and the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, may not be completely resolved and could take a new turn.
On Saturday, the FCT minister announced during a briefing with stakeholders from Ahoada East and Ahoada West LGAs that political activities would resume from January 2026.
Wike made the declaration shortly after the annual thanksgiving ceremony of the Chairman of the South-South Development Forum, Chibudom Nwuche, held in his hometown in Ochigba community, Ahoada East LGA.
During the briefing, Wike criticized individuals he accused of benefitting from sacrifices made by others during the 2023 general elections to support and ensure the emergence of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, when the political environment was tense, some individuals failed to openly support Tinubu.
He, however, maintained that he and his supporters stood firmly by the President during the difficult period of the electioneering campaign.
Wike said, “In that 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. We stood firm and said on your mandate we stand.
“And to the glory of God, we stood and on your mandate we stand today is very strong.
So you are the ones who made the mandate to be strong as far as Rivers State is concerned.”
Wike questioned those who have recently begun praising the President and claiming loyalty to his mandate, asking where they were in 2023 when their support was most needed.
He noted that such individuals failed to openly declare support for the President or mobilise their followers to vote for him.
He assured his supporters that their sacrifices and struggles would not be in vain.
The minister, however, did not name those he accused of benefitting from the efforts and sacrifices made during the 2023 electioneering process.
While thanking his supporters in Ahoada, Wike said, “And we are going forward from January next year. Let me inform you, we will start politics. Let me inform you, we will start what, politics.”
Speaking further, the FCT minister emphasised the importance of keeping agreements, stressing that he would not be part of any arrangement that could not be honoured.
He said, “You know me, I believe in agreement is agreement. Agreement is what, agreement.
Anything you know you cannot do, don’t say it. Don’t enter into it.
“Nobody can use us to say let me say yes I agree, later. No, you can’t do that. Whatever you have agreed in the morning, you must agree in the night.
So, don’t be worrying yourself about those ones shouting on your mandate we stand. We have shouted when it mattered most.
“If we did not shout that time and stand firm, will they have shouted now?”
Wike stated that he has never hidden his political position in Nigeria, adding that he has become one of the most criticised politicians in the country by individuals who refuse to honour agreements.
He reaffirmed that he and his supporters would continue to support President Bola Tinubu.
The FCT minister thanked the people of Ahoada for their support over the years and assured them that there was no cause for concern, noting that they had nothing to fear.
He added that they would speak at the appropriate time.
The thanksgiving ceremony was attended by several political heavyweights, including Senator Magnus Abe, Senator Philip Aduda, Senator Wilson Ake and Senator Olaka Wogu
Others present include an ambassador-designate Aaron Chukwuemeka, OCJ Okocha, Ferdinand Anabrabra, among others.
