Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has endorsed Senator Magnus Abe’s appeal urging former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to review his reported political alliance with former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, stressing that power should stay in the southern region until 2031.
Wike spoke on Tuesday at the unveiling of Rivers State Rainbow Coalition candidates in Port Harcourt, where he also urged Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members nationwide to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Abe had challenged Amaechi to uphold his previous position on power rotation between the North and South, arguing that supporting Atiku would contradict the principle.
“On behalf of all of us here gathered in Rivers State, we want to call on Amaechi to immediately respect his own position and resign as the vice-presidential candidate to Atiku Abubakar, because it is the turn of the South, and Rivers State will stand by the agreement between the North and the South,” Abe said.
He also urged Atiku to respect the principle of power rotation, while declaring support for Tinubu and the Rainbow Coalition.
Wike echoed Abe’s position, calling on PDP members to support Tinubu regardless of their party affiliations.
“Every PDP member in Rivers State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Kwara State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Every PDP member in Benue State, you will support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” the FCT minister declared.
He extended the appeal to PDP members in Ondo, Ogun and other states, arguing that political differences should not prevent them from backing Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Wike also questioned Atiku’s political consistency and criticised Amaechi’s record as Rivers governor between 2007 and 2015, revisiting promises made during his administration on malaria prevention and development.
He further raised allegations concerning the management of public funds during Amaechi’s tenure, referring to a judicial panel of inquiry and subsequent court proceedings. The allegations were not independently established at the event.
The FCT minister said the Rainbow Coalition was working to unite politicians across party lines behind Tinubu and candidates endorsed by the alliance in Rivers State.
He also urged political stakeholders to avoid actions that could reignite tensions in the state, calling for cooperation and peaceful political engagement.
The event was attended by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Abe and other political leaders and candidates from different parties.
The coalition’s unveiling was presented as part of efforts to strengthen political reconciliation and build a common front ahead of the 2027 general election.
What You Should Know
This political development highlights ongoing realignments and power struggles among key political figures in Rivers State and across Nigeria ahead of the 2027 general elections.
- Political Stability: Prominent politicians are pushing for structured power rotation agreements between the North and South to maintain national harmony.
- Potential Friction: The sharp division between political heavyweights could heighten local tensions and reshape party loyalties within the region.
