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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State has no choice but to continue supporting President Bola Tinubu, citing what he described as unprecedented federal appointments and developmental projects enjoyed by the state under the current administration.

Wike made the declaration on Saturday in Port Harcourt during a luncheon organised by the Rainbow Coalition in honour of candidates participating in the forthcoming Governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly  elections in Rivers State.

The former Rivers State governor urged residents to compare the benefits the state had received under previous administrations with what it had gained in less than three years of the Tinubu administration.

According to him, Rivers people must appreciate the President for recognising and rewarding the state.

“From 2023 to now, compare what Rivers State has benefited under this administration with what it got under previous governments. Look at the appointments and opportunities that have come to Rivers State. Compare them and tell yourselves the truth.

“President Tinubu has shown so much appreciation to Rivers people. We have no choice but to continue supporting him,” Wike said.

The minister dismissed ethnic and sectional sentiments in politics, insisting that governance and development should remain the primary considerations for voters.

He urged political supporters to focus on grassroots mobilisation rather than media appearances, stressing that elections are won at polling units.

“Television will not give you votes. What gives votes is going to your polling units, your wards and your local governments. Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward and deliver your local government,” he said.

Wike also expressed confidence in the political strength of the Rainbow Coalition, declaring that the group would dominate future elections in the state.

“If you want to be relevant in Rivers politics, come and join the Rainbow Coalition. If you want to be governor, senator, House of Representatives member or councillor, come and join us,” he stated.

The FCT minister warned against any attempt to destabilise Rivers State, saying the state would resist forces seeking to undermine its interests.

“Rivers people are peaceful, but nobody should take our peaceful disposition for granted. Nobody can come here and hijack what belongs to our people,” he said.

Wike further called on aggrieved politicians to return and work with the coalition, assuring them that there was room for reconciliation and unity.

“I am using this opportunity to forgive everybody. Come back home sincerely and let us work together for the progress of Rivers State,” he said.

The former governor maintained that leadership should be determined by competence and commitment to the welfare of the people rather than ethnicity or religious considerations.

“It does not matter where a leader comes from. What matters is that the person will not make us regret supporting him. Our concern is good governance and the development of Rivers State,” he added.

At the event were the All Progressives Congress, Peoples Democratic Party and Action Alliance governorship candidates,  Hon. Kingsley Chinda,  Sam Ejekwu and Ben Eke respectively,  while that of Labour Party,  Chima Bons was represented.

Others like the State Chairman of APC, Tony Okocha,  PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Aaron Chukwuemeka,  Senator Allwell Onyesoh,  Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors,  Ambassador Desmond Akawor,  Ambassador-Designate to Ireland,  Chief OCJ Okocha (SAN), Chairman of the Board of the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission,  Senator Magnus Abe, Niger Delta Development Commission’s Executive Director of Finance and Administration and  Boma Iyaye eulogiced the FCT Minister’s ingenuity in bringing together all major political gladiators in the State.

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…says Ticket still open to APC, PDP, LP, AA
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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed speculations surrounding the automatic endorsement of any governorship candidate under the  “Rainbow Coalition” in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

​Speaking on Saturday at a high-profile luncheon organized for candidates of the coalition in Port Harcourt, Wike clarified that while the political bloc has firmly resolved to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, it has not settled on any individual for the state’s governorship.

​Addressing the cross-party gathering, Wike dismissed what  he called premature victory celebrations by any of the candidates, noting that such claims create a false impression and undermine his own political standing, especially given his affiliation with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

​”The Rainbow Coalition, we have not chosen who will be the governor of Rivers State. But we have party candidates who have emerged under the Rainbow Coalition.

“The only decision we have taken is that we are going to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike declared.

​Wike reminded the stakeholders that the alliance is an inclusive, multi-party structure comprising the All Progressives Congress (APC), PDP, Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA).

He emphasized that final strategic decisions would be made collectively under the leadership of the coalition’s chairman.

The Minister noted that all candidates from the participating parties are “okay for Rivers State” and have been praying for success.

​ All political blocks, including AA, LP, and APC, were urged to continue their grassroots preparations until the coalition formally meets to take a unified position.

​The FCT Minister launched a scathing critique against external commentators, human rights activists, and media organizations that he accused of historically exploiting the state’s political volatility for financial gain.

Wike stated that the Rainbow Coalition was engineered to permanently alter this negative perception.

​”God said no, we must come together as a people, irrespective of our political leanings.

“What is important is that we must talk about the development of our state. We must talk about the unity of our state,” Wike maintained.

Taking a swipe at newer or less established political parties—specifically mentioning the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Wike argued that noise-making and political defections should not be mistaken for structural electoral capacity.

​He stated that only the PDP, APC, and Labour Party have demonstrated true operational experience in running national and statewide elections across Nigeria.

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Suspected bandits have kidnapped retired Major General Rabe Abubakar, former Director of Defence Information, and his wife on Matazu Road in Katsina State.

Security sources told PRNigeria that the couple was ambushed on Saturday morning, May 30, 2026, while travelling in a red Peugeot 504 saloon car.

The gunmen intercepted the vehicle and whisked the retired officer and his wife to an unknown location.

The driver escaped with gunshot wounds and is receiving treatment at a nearby hospital, a security source said.

The former DDI and his wife were waylaid by armed men on the route. The driver escaped with gunshot injuries and is receiving medical attention,” the source stated.

Security forces have launched search-and-rescue operations and deployed intelligence assets to track the abductors, according to the source. Official confirmation from the military was still pending at press time.

—Rising concern in Katsina—

The abduction comes amid persistent insecurity in parts of Katsina despite ongoing military operations against bandit groups in the North-West.

In recent years, several serving and retired security personnel have been targeted on highways linking Katsina to neighbouring states. PRNigeria reports that criminal groups now see high-profile individuals, including retired military officers, as lucrative targets.

Maj-Gen Abubakar served as Director of Defence Information and was one of the Nigerian military’s most visible spokespersons during the counterinsurgency campaign against Boko Haram.

The incident is expected to renew calls for stronger security along major highways and rural communities in Katsina, where residents continue to face kidnapping and banditry.

Credit :PRNigeria