Wike sets sights on delivering Rivers, FCT to Tinubu in 2027

…Rejects campaign DG role

By Jude Opara

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said his priority ahead of the 2027 presidential election is to secure victory for President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT rather than seeking a formal position in the president’s campaign council.

Wike made the declaration during the weekend  while inspecting the Apo-Karshi Road and the 14-kilometre dualization of the Buhari-Kubwa Satellite Town access road in Abuja.

The former Rivers State governor said he was not interested in serving on Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council, particularly because he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to him, what matters most is the ability to deliver electoral victories at the grassroots, rather than holding a prominent position in the campaign organisation.

“Every politics is local. If you cannot deliver the president in your state, how will you say you want an election?” Wike said.

He declared that he would return to Rivers State during the 2027 elections to work for Tinubu’s victory, while also counting the FCT among the two areas he intends to deliver for the president.

Wike argued that serving as Director-General of a presidential campaign would mean little if the appointee could not secure victory in his home state.

He also dismissed the emphasis on campaign promises, saying the real campaign should be based on the government’s achievements and the tangible impact of its policies on citizens.

“What has the government got to show? It’s not about promises; it’s about really putting in action that things indeed will have a positive impact in the lives of the people,” he said.

The FCT minister cited the experiences of several prominent politicians who previously served as campaign directors-general but were unable to deliver their respective states to their presidential candidates.

He mentioned former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong among those who, despite occupying influential campaign positions, could not secure their home states.

Wike said he therefore preferred to concentrate on securing electoral support for Tinubu in Rivers and the FCT rather than pursuing a campaign council position.

He also expressed confidence that the “Rainbow Coalition” that supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election would reunite and work towards another victory for the president in 2027.