The Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress has announced its decision to withdraw support for Governor Siminilayi Fubara of Rivers State and pledge allegiance to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The group’s chairman, Senator George Sekibo, made the declaration on Saturday during Wike’s thank-you visit to Okrika Local Government Area of the state.
Sekibo described the lingering rift between Fubara and Wike as unfortunate but insisted that the Ijaw people could not be described as ungrateful.
He recalled that Wike played a key role in the emergence of Fubara, an Ijaw son, as governor and enjoyed widespread support across Rivers State at the time.
“Please don’t look at him and think we are all ungrateful people. Ijaw people are very grateful people,” Sekibo said.
“That is why we abandoned him (Fubara) and said we will follow you. You have done so much for Ijaw people in Rivers. Whatever you say we should do, is what we will do.”
The former senator assured Wike of the Ijaw people’s loyalty and also pledged their support for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“We are grateful people and that is why we are following you. We will not leave you because you have been there for us,” he added.
Earlier, the Chairman of Okrika Local Government Council, Akuro Tobin, described Wike as his political godfather, noting that the minister had supported many indigenes of the area to secure elective and appointive positions.
Speaking on behalf of Okrika women, the Deputy Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Linda Stewart, said Wike’s support for women remained unmatched and prayed for success in his political pursuits.
In his response, Wike thanked the people for their backing and their continued support for Tinubu, whom he described as a leader who keeps his promises.
The minister also visited the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Akete Tom, where he commended the monarch for promoting unity, hinted at a decision on the 2027 elections, and urged traditional rulers to avoid direct involvement in partisan politics.