The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that supporters of President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State do not need the backing of a sitting governor to mobilise effectively for the president’s re-election bid in 2027.
Wike made the assertion on Saturday in Port Harcourt during the commissioning of the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ headquarters, which includes Majority FM 89.5, a situation room, office spaces and operational buses.
Speaking at the event, Wike commended the state coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, for what he described as extensive grassroots mobilisation across Rivers State, declaring the state firmly positioned to deliver electoral support for Tinubu.
“Desmond Akawor, you have shown enough capacity to mobilise. You have gone to all the nooks and crannies of Rivers State to speak about Tinubu for President in 2027,” he said.
Reaffirming his long-standing position on the state’s political stance, the former Rivers governor stated that Rivers was fully committed to the president’s re-election bid.
“I have said it before that Rivers State is a no-go area, and I say it again: this state is totally for Tinubu. Nigerians all over the world saw that all 23 local governments and zonal coordinators were inaugurated. That showed clearly that Rivers State is a no-go area,” Wike declared.
He described the newly commissioned facilities as unprecedented in the state and challenged critics to assess the level of organisation and commitment on the ground.
“Our commitment is not by mouth or by newspaper headlines. Our commitment is by action. We are working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Wike stressed that the political mobilisation in Rivers State was being driven internally by elected officials and party leaders, rather than relying on the influence of a sitting governor.
“We don’t need a governor to mobilise for Mr President. We have senators, members of the National Assembly, state assembly members, council chairmen, and party leaders across APC and PDP. We have what it takes to mobilise ourselves,” he said.
Recalling the 2023 general elections, Wike described them as a defining moment for the state’s political direction.
“In 2023, we made a decision without pressure or influence, and to the glory of God, that decision is what we are enjoying today. If Mr President declares for 2027, our support is non-negotiable,” he added.
The minister also urged the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to deepen their grassroots presence by extending their structure to ward and unit levels.
“You must prepare to inaugurate ward and unit coordinators. Take this message to the grassroots. We are battle-ready. There is nothing we cannot do because unity is strength,” he said.
Earlier, Akawor welcomed Wike and other guests, thanking the minister for providing leadership to the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors. He disclosed that coordinators had been appointed in all 23 local government areas and described Wike’s political strategy as a distinct approach he referred to as “AI politics.”