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By Oscar Okhifo
Former Rivers State Governor and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that Nigerian politicians are attracted to Rivers State because of its enormous wealth, insisting that recent high-profile visits to the state are driven by political and financial interests, not genuine concern for governance.
Wike spoke in Port Harcourt on Sunday while reacting to recent visits to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Bashiru.
According to him, Rivers State has always been a magnet for political actors because of its economic strength.
“Everybody likes Rivers State because of the money,” Wike said, stressing that the state’s resources naturally attract politicians, especially those who had previously shown little interest in its affairs.
He questioned the sudden interest in the state, noting that such visits should not be taken at face value.
“When people who never cared about Rivers before now start visiting the state, you must ask questions,” he said, adding that “these visits are not accidental.”
The former governor said Nigerians deserved clarity on the purpose of such engagements, particularly when they involve senior government and party officials.
“If those visits were truly about security or party matters, Nigerians would have been clearly informed,” Wike stated, arguing that the absence of clear explanations leaves room for speculation.
“In that situation, people are free to draw their own conclusions,” he added.
He further described Nigerian politics as largely driven by self-interest, warning against pretending otherwise.
“Politics is about interest,” he said. “Nobody should deceive himself. Many of these visits are about personal and financial interests, not love for Rivers State.”
He concluded by describing Rivers as a strategic political destination, likening the state to “a bride” because of its economic relevance. According to him, this status explains why politicians continue to gravitate towards Rivers State, particularly as future political contests draw closer.