“I’ll Select Candidate Who’ll Protect My Interests in Rivers, Not Betray Me Like Fubara” — Wike

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has ruled out supporting Governor Siminalayi Fubara in the 2027 elections, signaling his intention to back a new candidate in Rivers State.

Speaking to supporters over the weekend in Ahoada LGA, Wike criticized Fubara for reneging on previous agreements. “We will not make the mistake we made in 2023. Are we going there? No. We are not going there,” Wike said, adding that no one would dictate Rivers’ political decisions to him.

Fubara, who recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), will not automatically receive Wike’s endorsement despite the latter’s support for President Bola Tinubu. “I have never hidden my support for President Tinubu. But that does not translate into an automatic ticket for Fubara,” Wike emphasized.

The former governor highlighted that loyalty and protecting local interests would guide his choice for the next Rivers candidate. “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,” he said.

Wike also dismissed calls for him to step back, insisting that his approach in Rivers would remain independent.