By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The political trenches in Rivers state may not have closed definitively, despite pretensions by the actors.
Nyesom Wike, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, a principal actor in the melodramatic political battle on Saturday, December 27, 2025, took a surprise swipe at those he derisively referred to as “later day supporters of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
In an apparent reference to Governor Siminalayi Fubaraand others, Wike vowed never to allow those who could not muster enough courage pre-2023 general elections to openly support Tinubu to now take the shine off those that really stood firm to face the “bullet” before, during and after the elections.
At a meeting with stakeholders from the Ahoada East and Ahoada West Local Councils of Rivers state after a thanksgiving ceremony by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Chairman of the South South Development Commission, SSDC, Chibudum Nwuche, held in his home town of Ochigba, Ahoada East, Wike, while criticizing the tendency by some people to renege on agreements, however, assured that real politicking will commence in the coming year.
The FCT Minister expressed serious concern and regret that some people who were timid and afraid to identify with the political aspirations of President Tinubu in 2023 in Rivers state are now shamelessly, shouting on “your mandate we stand” as well as endlessly praising the President to curry favour.
He warned that he and his supporters who braced the odds to stand firmly with the President when it mattered most in 2023 will not allow themselves to be pushed aside by political “gold diggers”
” In 2023, it was difficult for many people, especially those now shouting “on your mandate we stand” to campaign for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu .
“But on our part,(Wike and supporters) we came out boldly to declare our support for the President. We stood firm and boldly on the mandate.
“And to God be the glory, “on your mandate we stand” today is very strong. So you are the ones (supporters) who made the mandate to be strong as far as Rivers state is concerned, and nobody, especially those who are now claiming to be standing on the mandate will push you aside
“If we did not shout that time ( 2023) stand, firm, will they be shouting now?, Wike queried.
Further speaking, and in a tone suggesting that all may not be well between his camp and that of Governor Fubara, Wike blasted those who he said has failed to honour agreements reached after benefitting from the collective struggle of his supporters.
However, he promised that the year 2026 will be a defining moment, the time the real politics will unfold in Rivers state.
“Let me inform you, we will start politics by January 2026. We will start real politicking then .
“You know me. I believe in people fulfilling agreements reached. Agreement is an agreement no matter what. Anything you know you cannot do, don’t promise to do it.
“Nobody can use us to achieve something and then turn around to renege on the agreement made . For me, whatever you agreed in the morning, you should also be ready to agree at night.
“So, don’t be worried or scared by the later day Tinubu supporters who are busy going about shouting “on your mandate we stand”. We shouted when it mattered most.”
This is as he reaffirmed the unflinching commitment and loyalty of his supporters to the second term ambition of President Tinubu.
The Source further reports that Governor Fubara, who has been having a running battle with Wike his political godfather, has, since joining forces with the ruling party at the centre some weeks back, been praising the President with a promise to deliver him in Rivers state come 2027.
It is, however, gathered the Governor’s new found “love'” with President Tinubu has been very unsettling to Wike who is said to have become increasingly vulnerable to the possibility of being thrown overboard.
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