Wike Urges Ateke Tom to Steer Clear of 2027 Political ‘Game’

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has sent a clear message to the traditional institution in Rivers State, advising the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Tom, to remain an observer in the brewing political landscape. Speaking during a high-profile courtesy visit to the monarch’s palace on Saturday, Wike emphasized that the upcoming 2027 electoral cycle would “not be business as usual,” suggesting that a strategic roadmap has already been finalized by his political camp.

The visit followed Wike’s grand “thank you” rally in Okrika Local Government Area, a movement that has seen several prominent groups, including the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress, formally withdraw their support from Governor Siminalayi Fubara. Addressing King Ateke Tom, whom he described as a personal friend and a stabilizer of peace in the region, Wike noted that while the monarch should continue to guide his people, he should avoid direct involvement in the “political game” to preserve the sanctity of his throne.

“We will soon start politics, and I don’t want anybody to say tomorrow that you are putting your hand in it,” Wike remarked, adding that any necessary political guidance for the community would be handled by his associates. The Minister warned that the 2027 elections represent a critical juncture for his supporters, asserting that any tactical miscalculation would result in a “political burial”—an outcome he is determined to avoid.

The Minister’s tour of Rivers State LGAs has served as a platform to consolidate his grassroots influence and reaffirm his loyalty to President Bola Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda. During the Okrika rally, Wike credited the President for restoring legality to the state’s political processes, specifically pointing to the conduct of local government elections as a turning point in his ongoing feud with the incumbent governor.

As political tensions in Rivers State reach a fever pitch in this first week of 2026, Wike’s insistence on “traditional neutrality” for figures like Ateke Tom signals a shift toward a more aggressive, purely partisan approach to the next election. By telling the monarch that “decisions have already been taken,” Wike has effectively drawn a line in the sand, daring his opponents to match his level of preparedness for the battles ahead.