Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a prominent Ijaw leader and former spokesperson of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of violating Nigeria’s electoral laws through what he described as premature and unlawful political mobilisation across local government areas in Rivers State.
Speaking in an interview on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Sara-Igbe alleged that the minister had flouted regulations governing the commencement of electioneering campaigns by moving from one local government area to another to galvanise political support.
According to him, the actions amount to a clear breach of electoral guidelines and are being carried out with a troubling sense of impunity, which he warned could undermine the rule of law.
“Wike has violated the electoral laws of campaigning by going from local government to local government to talk to the people,” Sara-Igbe said. “He travelled from one local government to another. As a result of his visits to local government areas, he has broken election regulations and continues to do all these things without fear of repercussions.”
The remarks come as Wike rounds off a state-wide “thank-you” tour that covered all 23 local government areas of Rivers State. Although the minister has described the tour as an appreciation visit following support for President Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general elections, critics say the engagements have assumed an overtly political character.
Observers note that during several stops including recent visits to Andoni and Bonny the minister rallied supporters across party lines under what he termed a “Rainbow Coalition,” a move widely interpreted as part of a broader political strategy.
During these engagements, Wike was also reported to have made remarks perceived as a veiled challenge to the authority of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, while repeatedly referencing the 2027 elections and urging supporters to prepare to “correct the mistake” of 2023.
Sara-Igbe warned that allowing such activities to continue unchecked could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process and called on relevant authorities to enforce existing laws without fear or favour.
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