Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has said that supporters of President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State do not need the backing of a sitting governor to mobilise for the president’s re-election bid in 2027.
Wike made the remarks on Saturday in Port Harcourt during the commissioning of the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors headquarters, which houses Majority FM 89.5, a situation room, office facilities and operational buses.
Speaking at the event, Wike praised the group’s state coordinator, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, for what he described as extensive grassroots mobilisation, saying Rivers State was firmly positioned to deliver support for Tinubu in the next general election.
“Desmond Akawor, you have shown enough capacity to mobilise. You have gone to all the nooks and crannies of Rivers State to talk about Tinubu for president in 2027,” Wike said.
Reiterating his long-held stance on the state’s political alignment, the former Rivers State governor added: “I have said before that Rivers State is a no-go area, and I want to say again that this state is totally for Tinubu. We have ensured that all 23 local governments and zonal coordinators were inaugurated, showing Nigerians and the world that Rivers State is a no-go area.”
Wike described the commissioning of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors’ facilities as unprecedented in the region and challenged critics to assess the level of organisation on the ground.
“Our commitment is not by mouth, not by newspaper. It is by action, by showing that we are truly working for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
He stressed that political support for Tinubu in the state was being driven internally by elected officials and party leaders, rather than by external influence.
“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 in both the APC and PDP. We have mobilised ourselves and made our commitment clear,” Wike said.
He thanked supporters for what he described as visible dedication and recalled the 2023 elections as a turning point in the state’s political direction.
“In 2023, we made a decision without pressure or influence, and by the grace of God, that decision is what we are enjoying today,” he said, adding that continued support for Tinubu in 2027 was non-negotiable should the president seek re-election.
Wike also urged the Renewed Hope Ambassadors to deepen their grassroots structures by appointing ward and unit coordinators.
“We must take this down to the units and continue to engage our people. Go and see the situation room, go and see the radio station. We are battle-ready. There is nothing we cannot do because unity is strength,” he said.
Earlier, Akawor welcomed Wike and other attendees, commending the minister for providing leadership to the Rivers State Renewed Hope Ambassadors movement. He disclosed that coordinators had been appointed across all 23 local government areas and described Wike’s political approach as a unique style he termed “AI politics.”
