The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning that the electorate in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State will decisively respond to political hostilities with their voting power during the upcoming 2027 general elections.
Electoral Power as a Weapon
Wike made this declaration on Sunday during a thank-you visit to his home area. He emphasized to his supporters that the council's substantial voting bloc grants it a commanding influence in determining who emerges as governor and senator from Rivers State.
According to Wike, Obio/Akpor contributed approximately 40 percent of the total votes in the last election cycle. He argued that this figure vastly overshadows the output of smaller local government areas, solidifying the area's kingmaker status.
"We have the power to dictate who becomes governor," Wike stated. "All these people commenting from the sidelines, ask them if their local government, which produced only 5,000 votes, can challenge one that produced 40 per cent of the votes?"
He delivered a clear message to political adversaries: "We will use our strength to punish them. Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making the pronouncement. So, if you like abusing us, after abusing us, come and look for the votes—and we will punish you with the votes."
Leaders Affirm Voting Dominance
The claim of electoral supremacy was strongly backed by other political leaders present. The Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, provided concrete figures, stating that the council controls more than 684,000 votes out of roughly 3.5 million registered voters in Rivers State.
Chinda affirmed that such numerical advantage places Obio/Akpor in an unassailable political position. He directly addressed Wike, saying, "Just go home. Tell us what you want us to do and we will do it."
Council Chairman, Dr. Gift Worlu, praised Wike's record of public service. He noted that the area's decision to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election had yielded tangible benefits for the people and indicated that the community's direction for the next presidential poll is already clear.
However, regarding the forthcoming governorship race, Worlu struck a more cautious note. "We do not know where to go yet, but we know where not to go," he remarked, leaving the 2027 gubernatorial endorsement open.
Unwavering Support for Tinubu's Second Term
The Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, also pledged the local government's continued backing for Minister Wike. He promised unwavering support for Wike's push to secure a second term for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
"Tell Mr President that what we did for him in 2023, we will do even better in 2027," Amaewhule assured the gathering.
The event reinforced Obio/Akpor's determination to remain a pivotal force in shaping the political landscape of Rivers State as the nation gears up for the next electoral contest.
In a related political development, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Taraba State, Abubakar Bawa, has resigned from his position and withdrawn his membership from the party. Although Bawa did not give specific reasons for his sudden exit in a brief statement, insiders suggest it may be connected to rumours of Governor Agbu Kefas's potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
