WIKE AND THE POLITICS OF POWER IN RIVERS STATE

By Nwafor Oji Awala 

As Rivers State edges toward the August 30th local government elections, the political atmosphere is thick with anticipation, and one name dominates the conversation: Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and former governor of the state.

Whether discussed in hushed tones over bottles in neighborhood bars or debated in loud arguments within political caucuses, Wike’s name is omnipresent. Love him or loathe him, one thing remains clear, Wike is not just a political talker; he is a proven political executor. A tactician by every standard, his mastery of realpolitik continues to shape the contours of Rivers politics.

The just-concluded party primaries across the state have sparked mixed reactions. Critics across the political divide, particularly those opposed to Wike, describe the exercises as mere formalities, a “smokescreen” masking pre-arranged outcomes. Perhaps they are not entirely wrong. But even a flawed process can yield valuable insights.

One such insight is the relative calm that accompanied these primaries. In a state where political contests are often marred by violence, this year’s process, stage-managed or not, has helped avoid the usual bloodshed. In that alone, it is a small victory.

Yet, the most telling sign of the times is not the outcome of the primaries but the emerging ideological shift in Rivers politics, what some now term Wikeism. This new political phenomenon transcends party lines. Both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have fielded candidates who openly declare loyalty to Wike. Party discipline appears to have collapsed, replaced by a new power matrix where allegiance to one man overshadows party ideologies.

In this strange political reality, Wikeism represents a strategic cross-party alliance driven by loyalty and the pursuit of political victory. As the popular saying goes in local parlance, “After all, we mix our wines and drink.”

Still, there are lingering concerns. Legal analysts predict that the coming local government elections may face serious judicial challenges, citing potential violations of electoral law and party guidelines. But if Wike’s track record is anything to go by, he is not unfamiliar with such battles, and more often than not, he emerges on top.

As campaigns gain momentum across the 23 local government areas, the real political test begins. Can Wike maintain his stronghold and reshape the grassroots in his image? Or will the legal and political pushback dent the foundation he has built?

Only time, and the verdict of August 30, will tell. But one thing is certain: Wike’s grip on Rivers politics remains firm, even as his methods spark new debates about democracy, loyalty, and the future of party politics in Nigeria.

(c) Prime Heritage Magazine