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• Declares Fubara “a bad child”
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has declared that his Rainbow Coalition—drawing members from various political parties in Rivers State—will dominate all elective positions in the state during the 2027 elections.
Wike made this bold assertion on Wednesday during a “thank you” visit to Asari Toru Local Government Area. The coalition operates under the Renewed Hope Family, an initiative he launched to rally support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid in Rivers. It effectively unites diverse party loyalties under one banner.
Rivers politicians, Wike emphasised, have transcended partisan divides to prioritise the state’s collective interests within the Renewed Hope Family. “After Tinubu, the rainbow coalition will produce every elective position in Rivers State in 2027. So, if you don’t belong to this rainbow family, forget it,” the minister declared.
Highlighting gains from the 2023 support for Tinubu, Wike listed ongoing benefits for Rivers residents and promised more. He assured, “This year will be better than last year.” Thanking locals for their steadfast backing, he credited community leaders’ loyalty and the risks they took in 2023, now bearing fruit. “Continue on this track and you will continue to reap good results. I assure you that I will stand with you at the appropriate time,” Wike added.
In response, Asari Toru LGA Chairman, Mr Onengiyeofori George, expressed gratitude for Wike’s contributions to the area and reaffirmed unity under the Renewed Hope Family.
State Assembly member Michael West, representing Asari Toru Constituency II, also praised Wike for mobilising Tinubu support. Calling him a “good leader”, West lauded the minister for installing an Ijaw governor – the first since Nigeria’s return to democracy. He vowed unwavering loyalty, saying the people “would follow him wherever he goes”.
In a related development, Wike affirmed he will not waver in supporting President Bola Tinubu while branding Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara as “a bad child” lacking gratitude.
Wike made the remarks on Wednesday during a “thank you” visit to Asari Toru Local Government Area in Rivers State. The stop formed part of his tour across the state’s 23 local government areas to honour supporters who backed him and Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.
“Today, we are here to say thank you. You have always stood with us. No matter how tough it looked, you always came through with success. Now that all the forces have come together and are united, it is time to go home and sleep with our eyes closed, knowing that all is well.”
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He highlighted that skipping the area without expressing thanks would have been ungrateful, given their longstanding loyalty.
He added, “We are not ungrateful people. When people do good for us, we always come back to say thank you. That is why we are here today, so that tomorrow you will know that when you support us, we will never forget you.”
The former Rivers governor, recalling the tense build-up to the 2023 presidential election, described backing Tinubu as a bold gamble that ultimately succeeded.
According to him, “In life, you must take risks. In 2023, we did not know how things would turn out, but we took a decision. Today, thank God, it was a good risk, and the results are positive.”
Wike commended local political leaders, party officials, and grassroots supporters for their steadfastness, stressing that gratitude and accountability underpin lasting alliances.
“One thing I can assure you is this: when a man makes a mistake and comes back to say, ‘I am sorry, I made a mistake,’ that mistake can be corrected. No propaganda, no shouting, and no battle can solve problems. Only accountability and correction can,” he said.
Shifting focus from party lines to unity, Wike portrayed his movement as a “rainbow coalition” family unbound by affiliations, with collective progress as the priority.
“Here, we don’t focus on political parties. What we have is a family, a rainbow coalition. If you don’t belong to this family, forget it. After the president, this family will determine the direction of the state,” he declared.
He expressed appreciation to traditional rulers, political figures, professionals, and Asari Toru residents for their massive turnout, pledging ongoing support.
