Days after the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike started fuming over the stance of the Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, on the re-election of President Bola Tinubu, the governor has said that threats and coercion will not translate to electoral victory for the president.
Wike has been very frontal against Fubara in the last few days. He even said the governor was in error, to have claimed to be number 001 in the state APC and insinuated that Fubara’s second term ticket from the APC was not guaranteed, even though he was now aligning with the Tinubu forces and chanting “on your mandate we shall stand.”
Moving from one local government to another, in an apparent move to prepare the people’s heart against Fubara ahead of the 2027 election, even as he drummed support for Tinubu, Wike has not hidden his hatred for Fubara.
He seems to be more worried that Fubara had socketed himself to the central power brokers and also assuming a vantage position in the APC. Wike, though expelled from the PDP, claims to have remained a member of the party.
Which is why many political analysts keep wondering how Wike planned to stop Fubara from collecting the APC ticket when he was not a member of the party.
His threats to the governor may have informed Fubara’s insinuations during the cross over service on Wednesday night, where he said prayer, restraint, and peaceful engagement—not confrontation—will continue to define the government’s approach to leadership and governance in 2026.
Fubara said the state weathered the storm without being overwhelmed, stressing that the survival of Rivers through the period was proof of divine intervention and collective resilience. He expressed strong optimism that 2026 would usher in a new phase of stability, renewed focus, and accelerated development.
Calling on Rivers people to rise above political noise and intimidation, the governor drew lessons from the biblical account of Prophet Elijah, urging citizens to listen for the “still small voice” of God rather than be distracted by threats and provocations.
“We do not have the instrument of war; the only thing we have is our knees, and we will continue to pray to God. Do not be troubled by the sounds of war you are hearing,” Fubara said, adding that the State is entering the new year with strength, hope, and the assurance that those who trust in God will not be put to shame.
The governor also reaffirmed his commitment to peace and political maturity in Rivers State, pledging that any support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections would be anchored on dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect—not coercion or threats.
He commended the people of the state and loyal supporters of his administration for their steadfastness and courage, noting that their resilience had helped the government remain focused and stable despite sustained pressure.
Earlier in his sermon, the Government House Chaplain, Pastor Ogan Barasin, speaking on the theme “At Thy Word,” urged total obedience to God in 2026, warning that delayed obedience could lead to delayed testimonies. Drawing from the Gospel of Luke, he stressed that the new year would demand faith-driven action rather than excuses.
