FCT minister Nyesom Wike says he is done with Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The former Rivers governor said he would handpick a more pliant person to replace Mr Fubara in 2027.

Mr Wike, who spoke to his political supporters over the weekend at Ahoada LGA, said, “We will not make the mistake we made in 2023. I want to tell you now, are we going there, No! We are not going there. Are you hearing me? We are not going there. I heard people, boosting that they will call me and give me instruction.

“As far as Rivers state is concerned. Nobody will call me because…you had a first agreement, somebody reneged. The second agreement, he reneged. Which one will he accept again? We would not make that mistake again.  

“Now, because opposition has collapsed, everybody is now shouting ‘on your mandate’! Why don’t you shout on your mandate since. We have been shouting on your mandate since.”

Mr Fubara recently defected to the All Progressives Congress. However, Mr Wike noted that his support for President Bola Tinubu would not automatically translate to backing Mr Fubara for reelection.

“I never hide it as far as Bola Ahmed Tinubu is concerned. There is nothing to think about. He has to complete his eight years because he has shown Rivers state love. Who would ever believe it in this world that a Rivers man would be a minister of FCT? 

“So, if you like, shout on your mandate 50 times a day. It will not give you an automatic ticket. If you like, bring everybody, shout on your mandate that is not an automatic ticket.”

Mr Wike added, “We are not opposing Mr President, but in Rivers State, you go no say ‘Kaki no be Leather’. Abi no be so? We will get somebody we can trust, go home, and sleep with our eyes closed. Politics is about interest. If you don’t appreciate what people have done in your life, then you have a problem.”