The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, launched a scathing attack on opposition leaders Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi on Tuesday, declaring unequivocally that Rivers State belongs entirely to President Bola Tinubu.
Addressing a massive gathering of the Rivers Rainbow Coalition youths in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Wike said that the presidential candidate of Africa Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar is not trustworthy.
Recognising the youths’ pivotal role as the foot soldiers of the state’s political movement, the minister dismissed Abubakar as a perennial candidate driven by self-interest.
"I have been in the same party with Atiku Abubakar. He is not a man who keeps to his words. What he says in the night is not what he says in the morning," Wike stated to roaring applause from the crowd.
Branding him a "political gambler" who has run for the presidency eight consecutive times, Wike warned supporters that voting for Atiku would mean enabling someone whose primary goal is to recoup funds spent across decades of failed presidential bids.
"Will you go and vote for him? No!" the crowd chanted back.
The minister equally dismissed the Nigeria Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Peter Obi as a "social media president, a fake man," who is daily faking populist impression, and his supporters as internet-bound dreamers.
"You can make him the president of social media so that he can be going to IDP camps to be celebrating their birthdays and buying corn on the road," Wike said
He challenged past leaders to point to tangible contributions made for the people of Rivers State, contrasting their legacy with the concrete developments delivered under the current federal administration.
Wike defended his political alignment with President Tinubu, emphasizing that Rivers State has never reaped as many federal rewards in the history of the current democratic dispensation as it has under the present administration.
Wike particularly pointed out that no fewer than 49 indigenes of Rivers State currently hold prominent federal government positions—a feat he described as unprecedented.
Highlighting long-neglected projects, Wike pointed to the newly operational Bonny-Bodo road and bridge network, stating that citizens can now drive smoothly to Bodo for the first time since the creation of the area.
"We're not looking for those who are fine or finer. We're looking for those who will do something that will positively impact on Nigerians and also impact on Rivers people," Wike asserted.
Reiterating the strength of the grassroots mobilization, Wike said that Rivers State is for Tinubu and dismissed any notion of opposition victory in the state.
He urged the youth canvassers to rally every demographic—from local communities to community leaders behind Tinubu and other candidates under the Rainbow Coalition.
"Whether you are Atiku, whether you are Obi, Rivers State is for Tinubu!" Wike declared to a thunderous chant of "Eeeeeh Tinubu! Oooh!" from the energized crowd.
The disclosed that the Rivers Rainbow Coalition has come to stay, adding that the coalition would formally unveil its candidates on Oct. 27.
In his remarks, Mr Kingsley Chinda, the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Rivers State assured the young populace that his incoming administration would prioritize youth inclusion, vocational capacity, and community development.
"The message we are sending out today is that the youths of Rivers State are unapologetically, unconditionally standing firm with Tinubu for President," he said.
Chinda emphasized that the core strategy of the Rainbow Coalition is unity and collective strength.
He promised a complete restructuring of the state's educational framework, focusing on technical and vocational training right from primary to secondary school levels.
"Today, if we are talking about tiling, carpentry, and technical craftsmanship, people start looking toward Cotonou. We believe that very soon, if anyone wants the best tilers or the best electricians in Nigeria, they will come to Rivers State.
"There will be no compromise. We can only build the state if we build the youths,” he added.
The governorship candidate also noted that local government council chairmen across the 23 local government areas would be mandated to take youth welfare, vocational centres as serious business.
Speaking at the event, key leaders of various youth groups took turns to endorse Tinubu and other candidates of the coalition, expressing gratitude to Wike’s leadership, whom they described as a unifying pillar.
Mr Chima Aguma, Coordinator of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition Youth and South-South Coordinator of City Boys, assured Wike of a solid grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu.
“These are people who stood by you throughout the struggle. You can look at their faces—they are people you know and recognize. This is your family; this is your base.
“We are ready to do anything we can to ensure Tinubu and other candidates under the Rainbow Coalition win massively in Rivers State.
Also, Mr Bani Nwisabari, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Rivers State Chapter, presented a recognition plaque honouring Wike for his role as a symbol of political inclusion and unity.
Recounting how Wike appointed him a member of the state’s Senior Secondary School Board, Nwisabari said, “You are an empowerment strategist. I am a direct beneficiary of your magnanimity and come 2027, the message is very clear and we will do the needful”.
On his part, Justice Uranta, President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), highlighted the legacy projects executed for student welfare, including the permanent NURSS secretariat.
"Rivers State students have asked me to tell you and our incoming candidate that we shall mobilize across all 23 local government areas, all campuses in Rivers State, and in the diaspora to ensure that Tinubu and Chinda emerges victorious in Rivers State.
