Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike on Saturday mocked former factional Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo (popularly known as OK Jumbo), over his role in leading a parallel legislative body during the state’s prolonged political crisis.
Wike made the remarks during a town hall meeting with Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in Bonny Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Addressing the gathering, the minister took a swipe at Oko-Jumbo’s brief stint as leader of the three-member faction loyal to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. He described the arrangement as a failed attempt to run the Assembly with a handful of lawmakers, contrasting it with the clear dominance of the larger group aligned with him under Speaker Martins Amaewhule.
The comments came amid ongoing reconciliation efforts in Rivers politics. Oko-Jumbo, who represents Bonny Constituency, had emerged as factional Speaker in May 2024 following the resignation of Edison Ehie. He recently joined Wike’s multi-party Rainbow Coalition in the same local government area after months of political realignment.
Wike’s appearance in Bonny also featured a strong endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He defended the removal of the fuel subsidy as a bold and necessary decision that increased allocations to states and local governments, and pointed to the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road as evidence of federal delivery to the oil-rich community.
Earlier, the minister paid a courtesy visit to the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III.
The town hall formed part of Wike’s continued mobilisation for the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, as former political rivals in the state continue to close ranks under the platform.