“Rivers and FCT Will Vote Massively for Tinubu” — Wike Declares as APC Hands Him Two Campaign Assignments

By Taibat Ummi Yakubu

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to mobilise voters in Rivers State and the FCT for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, declaring that securing support for the President in the two territories is his major assignment ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the declaration on Wednesday during the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, where he was assigned responsibility for coordinating the party’s campaign in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.

Despite being a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the former Rivers governor openly expressed his commitment to Tinubu’s re-election campaign, saying he was confident of securing massive support for the President in both areas.

“I’m pledged, by the grace of God, Rivers and FCT will vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is my joy. I have only two assignments, Rivers and FCT,” Wike said.

He also challenged members of the campaign council to focus on delivering electoral victories in their respective states rather than celebrating the positions they occupy within the campaign structure.

According to him, holding an influential position in the council would count for little if the person responsible failed to secure votes for the President in their assigned territory.

“What is important is that you deliver your state. If you don’t deliver your state and the President wins, don’t say we have won,” he warned.

Wike used the occasion to defend Tinubu’s approach to governance, arguing that the President had shown leadership by confronting difficult national issues that previous administrations had struggled to address.

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He cited the proposed establishment of state police as an example, noting that successive governments had acknowledged the potential role of state-controlled policing in tackling insecurity but had failed to make decisive progress towards its implementation.

“By the grace of God, in the next few months, I’m sure that will be passed to have state police in Nigeria. That is leadership. That is leadership,” the minister said.

The FCT minister also called for a more constructive approach to political opposition, insisting that disagreement with the ruling party should not prevent politicians from acknowledging policies they consider beneficial to the country.

He said the purpose of opposition in a democracy was to scrutinise government activities, identify neglected issues and draw attention to areas requiring improvement, rather than reject every government initiative.

“Democracy allows opposition to be there, to look at things that the ruling party or the ones in power are not concentrating on. Democracy is to bring out these issues you are not tackling,” Wike stated.

Speaking from the standpoint of his PDP membership, he maintained that opposition politicians should be willing to recognise positive government actions, regardless of the party responsible for implementing them.

Wike expressed optimism that the campaign council would reconvene after the January 16, 2027 presidential election to celebrate Tinubu’s victory, reiterating his confidence in the party’s preparations.

“January 16th, 2027, to the glory of God, we will come back here and say thank you to the Almighty God,” he said.

His pledge places Rivers State and the FCT at the centre of his campaign responsibilities, with the minister publicly committing to mobilising support for Tinubu in both territories ahead of the presidential poll.