The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that the mistakes made during the 2023 general elections in Rivers State will not be repeated in 2027. His statement comes at a time of renewed political tension between him and the current governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during visits to Akuku-Toru and Degema Local Government Areas of Rivers State. Speaking to supporters and community leaders, the former governor stressed the need to learn from past errors and take clear steps to correct them ahead of the next general elections.
According to Wike, admitting mistakes is an important part of leadership. He said political leaders must be honest with the people and show readiness to change when things go wrong.
“As for Rivers State, let me make it clear that what is important in life is that you make a mistake and come out to tell people, ‘I made a mistake, and therefore I want to correct the mistakes we made,’” Wike said.
He went further to state clearly that the political choices and actions taken in the 2023 elections would not happen again in 2027.
“The mistake we made in 2023 will not be repeated. Where we voted in the state is not where we will vote again in 2027,” he added.
Though Wike did not give full details of the mistakes he referred to, many political observers believe he was talking about the political decisions and alliances made during the last general elections in Rivers State. The state was a major battleground in 2023, with strong competition among political parties and internal disputes within party structures.
Wike, a former two-term governor of Rivers State, is one of the most influential politicians in the Niger Delta. He played a major role in shaping the state’s politics for years and was key to the emergence of Siminalayi Fubara as governor in 2023. Fubara was widely seen as Wike’s political ally and choice to succeed him.
However, shortly after Fubara assumed office, cracks began to appear in their relationship. What started as quiet disagreements later grew into an open political crisis that divided the Rivers State House of Assembly and affected governance in the state.
The disagreement led to a power struggle between lawmakers loyal to Wike and those backing Governor Fubara. At one point, the crisis attracted national attention, with concerns about political stability in Rivers State. President Bola Tinubu and other national leaders had to intervene to calm the situation and encourage dialogue.
Despite these efforts, tension has continued between the two camps, with each side accusing the other of undermining peace and development in the state.
Wike’s recent comments are seen by many as a signal that he is still deeply involved in Rivers politics, even though he now serves as a minister in President Tinubu’s cabinet. His visits to local government areas and strong political statements suggest that he is already thinking ahead to 2027.
During his visit to Akuku-Toru and Degema, Wike praised the people for their support over the years and urged them to remain united. He also reminded them of projects and development efforts carried out during his time as governor, saying his administration worked hard to improve infrastructure and services in the riverine areas.
The comments also come shortly after Wike publicly declared his “total support” for President Bola Tinubu. This declaration has raised eyebrows, especially as Wike is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Tinubu is a leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike’s support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election was one of the most talked-about political moves in the country. He openly worked against his party’s presidential candidate and backed Tinubu, a decision that caused deep division within the PDP.
Now, as minister in an APC-led government, Wike’s relationship with some APC leaders has also faced challenges. Reports of tension between him and certain APC figures have surfaced, adding another layer to the political drama surrounding him.
Despite this, Wike has maintained that his loyalty to President Tinubu is firm. He has repeatedly said that his support for the president is based on what he believes is best for Nigeria, not party lines.
For Rivers State, the road to 2027 already looks tense. The state has a long history of intense political competition, and elections there are often closely watched nationwide. Control of Rivers is seen as important because of its economic strength, oil resources, and political weight.
Governor Fubara, on his part, has continued to push his own agenda, focusing on governance and development. He has also tried to build his own political base separate from his former mentor. Supporters of the governor say he deserves the freedom to govern without interference, while Wike’s loyalists argue that political loyalty and agreements must be respected.
As 2027 approaches, it is clear that Rivers State will remain a key political theatre. Wike’s vow that past mistakes will not be repeated suggests that new strategies, alliances, and political battles are already being planned.
For the people of Rivers State, many are hoping that the political struggle will not affect peace and development. Residents want leaders to focus on improving living conditions, creating jobs, and addressing security and infrastructure challenges.
Whether Wike’s promise to correct the errors of 2023 will lead to a calmer or more heated political season in 2027 remains to be seen. What is certain, however, is that the political contest for Rivers State has begun earlier than expected, and all eyes will be on how events unfold in the coming months and years.