Rivers APC, PDP Leaderships in Ahoada West LG Promise to Follow Wike’s Instruction for 2027 Elections

*We want FCT minister out, says Sani

*Expert condemns attack on ex-commissioner, Arise News crew in Rivers

Chuks Okocha, Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja and Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt 

The leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, have vowed to take instructions from the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, on the 2027 elections in the state.

Chairman of the APC, Mr Rejoice Otobo, and his counterpart in the PDP, Mr Ikechukwu Obuzor, made this declaration separately yesterday during Wike’s “thank you” visit to the local government area. 

Otobo assured Wike that the people would not fail him because of his legacy done in the area.

“We await instructions from you on the 2027 elections concerning Rivers State. Wherever you ask us to go, there we shall go; whatever you ask us to do is what we will do.

“All the good and the bad people of the LGA have decided that where you want us to go is where we will go,” he said.

In the same mould, Obuzor, pledged complete loyalty, saying the minister had given Ahoada people hope. 

“I want to say that we are standing firm with you. Wherever you go, we will go. Rest assured come 2027, Ahoada West will deliver the needed results for you,” Obuzor said.

Earlier, Chairman of Ahoada Local Government Council, Mr Chita Eugene, likened Wike to “the political field Marshall of South South” and adulated him for the unprecedented development he attracted to Rivers State.

Eugene said the visit was not just a thank you visit but a celebration of effective leadership and public service.

The House of Representatives member representing Ahoada West/Ogba-Egbema/Ndoni Federal Constituency, Victor Obuzor, reinforced the position, noting that Wike deserved his support because he had done well for the LGA, and equally transformed Rivers State during his tenure as governor of the state.

Speaking, Wike explained he was in Ahoada to thank the people for the overwhelming support given to him and President Tinubu during the 2023 elections.

He said that Rivers State used to be respected for its strong political stand on good governance across the country until bad governance crept in.

Wike insisted that his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, must not be reelected for a second term. 

He also emphasised the need to restore the glory of the state in the political landscape of the country, noting it would be achieved by correcting the leadership mistake in the state in 2027.

“Already, Rivers State is being respected because of what we are doing in FCT. We need a leader we can trust to drive our dear state to glory and progress,” Wike said.

Sani: We Want Wike to Leave PDP

A former presidential media adviser, Umar Sani, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of deliberately destabilising the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that the PDP leaders wanted him to leave the party.

Speaking in an interview on ARISE News on Saturday, Sani elaborated on the growing rift between Wike and several PDP governors, the leadership tussle, and its implications for the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to Sani, the internal crisis in the PDP stemmed from resistance to Wike’s influence rather than personal animosity among its leaders.

Addressing Wike directly, Sani said the former Rivers State governor should leave the party if he believes it could not survive without him.

“As far as we are concerned, we want him to leave. Let him go to the APC and see how we survive. We cannot harbour someone destructive,” he said, adding that reconciliation remained possible.

“If he realises his mistakes and comes back saying, ‘Please accept me,’ of course, we will. It is the issue of the prodigal son.”

In the same vein, Sani argued that Wike’s disputes with PDP governors were not personal but reflect “the problem of the PDP,” noting that party leaders suspected “a mole within the party entrenched to destabilise it.

“You can’t take on people all the time you are in crisis. You are fighting this, you are fighting that. The reason all these things are happening is not that they have a problem with him, nor does he have a problem with them. It is the problem of the PDP.”

Expert Condemns Attack on Former Commissioner, Arise NEWS Crew in Rivers

A political management consultant and Executive Director, Compassionate Heart Foundation of Canada, Joe Korka-Waadah, has condemned the attack on a former Commissioner in Rivers State, Leloonu Nwibubasa, and the Arise NEWS Crew in Port Harcourt.

Some suspected political thugs invaded and attacked the former commissioner, ended the live cross interview of the Arise News Television half way, on Friday night in the state.

The suspected armed assailants invaded a hotel in Orazi axis of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the State and disrupted live interview with Nwibubasa.

It was gathered that the thugs made the attack while Nwibubasa was speaking on the political issues in the state.

Meanwhile, Korka-Waadah, a Canada-based Ogoni indigene, has described the incident as unfortunate.

He said four of the elders of Ogoniland were murdered in similar way, saying the attack was not on Nwibubasa but on the entire Ogoni people.

“It is unfortunate that in our dear Rivers State, thugs and hoodlums are deployed to harm or terminate the life of a citizen merely for expressing an opinion which he is entitled to. Should that ugly incident be seen a signal of what we should expect going forward into the election of 2027?

“We will not sit down and allow any of us to either be intimidated or killed while the world watches. Never again, never again. Enough is enough,” he warned.