2027: We don’t want rivers of blood, Wike says as he rallies support for Tinubu’s re-election

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State will not tolerate political violence ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging residents to back President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Wike made the declaration on Monday during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State.

“We don’t want rivers of blood. We don’t want rivers of shooting. The two main political parties in this state are the APC and the PDP. They have joined together with other political parties to say, ‘Let there be peace in Rivers State; let there be development and unity,'” Wike said.

He explained that the cross-party coalition was formed to foster peace, unity, and development across the state while ensuring stronger synergy between Rivers State and the Federal Government.

Wike stated that President Tinubu has provided the courageous leadership Nigeria previously lacked by implementing difficult economic reforms that past administrations avoided, arguing that his performance earns him a second term in office.

According to him, the discontinuation of the petrol subsidy regime—despite the resulting short-term hardship—underscored the President’s willingness to make tough choices in the nation’s long-term interest.

“We know what Nigerians are going through, but we are sure that things will get better. Most importantly, we know what this country was like before now. Leadership is key to the growth of a family, an association, a church, or any business,” he stated.

He maintained that Nigeria requires resolute leadership to confront longstanding structural challenges, noting that true statesmen make necessary, difficult decisions rather than allowing fear of public criticism to stall national progress.

Citing Tinubu’s decision to scrap the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office on May 29, 2023, the minister noted that the policy had placed an unsustainable burden on public finances, severely constraining the government’s capacity to meet statutory obligations to workers, pensioners, and critical institutions.

He observed that increased revenue allocations to subnational governments following the subsidy removal have expanded opportunities for developmental governance, though he acknowledged that the reforms have not resolved every challenge and urged citizens to remain patient.

Reflecting on his tenure as governor of Rivers State, Wike recalled how his administration pushed through critical flyover projects despite initial public opposition and temporary disruptions to business activities, noting that the infrastructure ultimately delivered immense value to the populace.

He questioned the capacity of opposition figures to provide a credible alternative, cautioning voters against surrendering their political future to individuals he characterised as political opportunists.

“Don’t carry your destiny to political gamblers,” he told the gathering.

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Wike noted that the town hall was convened to ensure residents are equipped with factual information to make informed electoral choices, adding that misinformation and propaganda had clouded decisions during the 2023 elections.

He further cautioned religious leaders against permitting partisan politics to compromise their sacred responsibilities, while highlighting the strategic economic position of the Eleme industrial corridor to Nigeria.

Wike, who identified himself as a national leader of the PDP, affirmed that members of the Rainbow Coalition—comprising stakeholders from the APC, PDP, and other political parties—have resolved to work together and endorse candidates under the APC banner, specifically President Tinubu for re-election, alongside agreed governorship and legislative candidates.

The meeting drew widespread participation from political leaders, traditional rulers, religious figures, women and youth groups, and representatives of various political parties within the coalition.