The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said Rivers State will continue to support President Bola Tinubu.

He pointed to the significant federal appointments and development projects the state has received under the current administration.

Wike stated this on Saturday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, during a luncheon organised by the Rainbow Coalition in honour of candidates participating in the 2027 governorship, National Assembly, and State Assembly elections in Rivers State.

The former governor of Rivers State urged residents to assess the benefits the state received from previous administrations and compare them with what it has gained in less than three years under the Tinubu administration.

He said the people of Rivers should appreciate the president for recognising and rewarding the state.

“Since 2023, look at how much Rivers State has gained from this administration compared to what it received from past governments.

“Take a look at the appointments and opportunities that have come to Rivers State. Compare them and tell yourselves the truth.

“President Tinubu has shown great appreciation to the people of Rivers. We have to continue supporting him,” Wike said.

The minister dismissed the notion that ethnic and sectional sentiments should determine political choices.

Wike stressed that good governance and development should remain the key considerations for voters.

He urged his political supporters to focus on grassroots mobilisation rather than spending excessive time in the media.

He noted that elections are won at the polling unit level.

“Television will not give you votes. To get votes, you need to go to your polling units, which are in your wards and local governments.

“Make sure to take care of your polling unit, your ward, and your local government,” he said.

Wike also expressed confidence in the political strength of the Rainbow Coalition, saying the group would perform strongly in future elections in the state.

“If you want to have a say in Rivers politics, come and be part of the Rainbow Coalition.

“If you want to be a governor, senator, member of the House of Representatives, or councillor, come and be part of our group,” he said.

The FCT minister warned that any attempt to destabilise Rivers State would not be tolerated, insisting that the state would resist efforts to undermine its interests.

“The people of Rivers are calm and peaceful, but no one should mistake our peaceful nature for weakness.

“No one can come here and take what belongs to our people,” he said.

Wike also called on aggrieved politicians to return and work with the coalition, assuring them that there was room for reconciliation and cooperation.

“I am taking this opportunity to forgive everyone. Come back home with a sincere heart, and let us work together to move Rivers State forward,” he said.

The former governor maintained that leadership should be judged by competence and commitment to public service rather than ethnicity or religion.

“It doesn’t matter where a leader comes from. What matters is that the person will not disappoint us for supporting him.

“Our focus is on good governance and the development of Rivers State,” he said.

The National Chairman of the Young Progressives Party, YPP, Comrade Bishop Amakiri, has said that the party is not collapsing into the All Progressives Congress, APC

Addressing reporters in Abuja during the ratification of it candidates by the party’s leadership in Abuja, the YPP boss also responded to the general belief that since the death of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the party has struggled to attract major political figures.

He also cleared the air on the speculation the YPP was planning on collapsing into the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, saying, ‘Perhaps that is merely media speculation. To the best of my knowledge, there has been no such discussion. I do not even know of any APC member who has approached us with such a proposal.

“Besides, why would the YPP collapse its structure into the APC? What exactly has the APC done differently that would make such a move attractive to us? As for the presidential election, I am not focused on the candidates of other political parties.”

On death of Uba, he said, “It would be unfair to say that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s passing did not affect the party. It certainly did. However, to suggest that his death ended the party’s fortunes would be incorrect.

“The party remains focused and on course. Since Senator Ubah’s demise, there has not been a general election through which the party’s strength can be fully assessed.

“Therefore, it would be premature to conclude that the YPP has lost its grip.
There is no doubt that Senator Ubah was a political force and a team player who gave the party significant visibility and prominence.

“Much of what the party enjoys today stems from the impact of his electoral victory. If he had not won that election, perhaps we would not be discussing the YPP at this level today.

“The good thing, however, is that we have consolidated on those gains and continued to make inroads into Nigeria’s political landscape. We miss him greatly, but I believe that wherever he is, he would be proud of the role he played in the history and growth of the YPP.”

He added, “The YPP remains one of the parties to watch in the forthcoming 2027 general elections. We are focused, and I can assure Nigerians that the party has a lot to offer. We have positive ideas, policies, and programmes that can move the country forward.

“I am focused on the presidential candidate of the Young Progressives Party. By the grace of God, we will nominate a candidate who will offer Nigerians a credible alternative.”