BY AHMED AKANBI
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged political leaders in Rivers State to unite against political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the appeal on Monday at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ town hall in Eleme Local Government Area, where he called on residents to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and coalition-backed candidates.
He said that members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other parties working together was aimed at promoting peace, unity, and development.
”We don’t want Rivers of blood. We don’t want rivers of shooting,” Wike said, warning that political disagreements must not threaten peace and stability in the state.
The former Rivers State governor, who described himself as a national leader of the PDP, said coalition members had agreed to support candidates contesting on the APC platform.
He urged Eleme residents to back the coalition’s preferred candidates for governorship, legislative and other positions, arguing that cooperation would strengthen ties between the state and Federal Government.
Wike described Eleme as economically important and urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders to participate in political discussions and resist misinformation.
He cautioned religious leaders against allowing partisan politics to distract them from spiritual responsibilities, saying politicians should explain political issues to the electorate.
On Tinubu’s re-election, Wike said the President deserved a second term for taking difficult decisions, citing petrol subsidy removal.
While admitting the policy caused hardship, he said additional revenue to states and local governments had created opportunities for better governance.
”We know what Nigerians are going through, but we are sure that things will get better,” he said.
He urged voters to assess candidates’ records and avoid what he called political gamblers.
”Don’t carry your destiny to political gamblers,” he told the gathering.