The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that all political parties in Rivers State have effectively merged into a single coalition backing President Bola Tinubu’s re‑election bid.
Naijaonpoint reports that Wike spoke on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ event in Asari‑Toru Local Government Area, describing the new alignment as a transformative shift from conventional party politics to a unified political movement focused on advancing the interests of the state.
“In Rivers, we don’t have any party now. What we have is the Renewed Hope Family. It’s a rainbow coalition,” the former Rivers State governor said.
Wike emphasised that the coalition, part of the broader Renewed Hope Family initiative, has united erstwhile political rivals to jointly support President Tinubu and pursue local political objectives.
He said, “If you don’t belong to this family, then forget it. After delivering President Tinubu, this family will produce everything as far as the state is concerned, governorship and assembly seats.”
The FCT minister said that Rivers people are already experiencing positive outcomes from their support for Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
“This year will be better than last year,” Wike assured the gathering, urging residents to stay the course.
He thanked community leaders and residents for standing with Tinubu, describing their support as a risk that is now yielding dividends.
“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,” he said.
Since last month, Wike has been touring various local government areas in Rivers, making what many political observers view as indirect criticisms of Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s re‑election bid.
Wike has accused Fubara of reneging on an agreement they signed before the lifting of the emergency rule in Rivers by President Tinubu.