Abaribe assures retaining Wike as FCT minister earns Tinubu no Rivers vote in 2027
*Says former governors like Wike do not possess same electoral values, influence as sitting governors
By KEMI KASUMU
As keen observers now say say recent cabinet reshuffle by President Bola Tinubu that only removed Minister of Women Affairs, Minister of Education and Minister of Sports with merging of sports ministry to the National Sports Commission is more of compensating allies than rejigging the dwindling economy, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe says retaining Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will not earn the President votes of Rivers State in 2027.
Abaribe, senator representing Abia South in the National Assembly while addressing assertions regarding the retention of Wike as FCT Minister in Tinubu’s administration, noted that some analysts believe his position is safeguarded due to the political significance of Rivers State in the upcoming 2027 elections.
However, Abaribe voiced a strong opposition to this viewpoint in a revealing interview with Arise Television, where the former Senate Minority Leader articulated that former governors, like Wike, do not possess the same electoral values and influence as sitting governors.
He emphasized that while former governors may have held power, their ability to mobilize votes has diminished over time which many say is reason Wike appointed 17 of 18 commissioners of Governor Siminalayi Fubara administration and owned all members of the now sacked Rivers State House of Assembly to enable continue to dominate the political space like Tinubu did in Lagos.
“What people feel is that the time of former governors has passed,” Senator Ehinnanya Abaribe stated.
Drawing from his own experience as a serving Senator, Abaribe questioned the feasibility of any political figure claiming to deliver electoral support from an entire state.
He noted, “For example, take me; how can I claim to deliver the whole of Abia State to the President? It’s not possible. I may be able to deliver my senatorial district because I’m still a serving senator.”
Abaribe argued that the decision to keep Wike in the cabinet should not be solely based on electoral calculations for the next presidential race.
He insisted that the dynamics of political influence have shifted, and the efficacy of current governors in delivering votes should take precedence over the perceived clout of their predecessors.
Watch interview video by clicking HERE
