Rivers Politics: Wike Says Parties Collapse into Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Coalition

 

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that political party structures in Rivers State have effectively collapsed into a single coalition aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Speaking on Wednesday at a stakeholders’ meeting in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, Wike said the political landscape in the state has shifted from partisan rivalry to a unified movement under what he described as the “Renewed Hope family.”

According to the former Rivers State governor, the coalition—also referred to as a rainbow alliance—brings together all political interests in the state to support Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

“In Rivers, there is no party for now. What we have is the Renewed Hope family — a rainbow coalition,” Wike said.

He warned that political actors who choose to stay outside the coalition risk being sidelined in future political arrangements, stressing that the group would determine candidates for key positions after delivering victory for Tinubu.

“After delivering President Tinubu, this family will produce everything in the state — from the governorship to the House of Assembly,” he added.

Wike maintained that Rivers State has already begun to reap the benefits of its support for Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election, assuring residents that improved outcomes lie ahead.

“This year will be better than last year,” he said.

The minister commended community leaders and residents for what he described as a courageous decision to back Tinubu in 2023, noting that the risk taken is now yielding positive results.

“Remain on this path and you will continue to enjoy the dividends. I assure you that I will stand with you when the time comes,” Wike pledged.

In recent weeks, Wike has intensified political engagements across several local government areas in Rivers State. Observers say the tours are widely seen as a subtle campaign against the re-election prospects of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The FCT minister has repeatedly accused Fubara of violating the terms of an agreement they allegedly signed before President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule earlier imposed on the state.