Wike to Head Tinubu's 2027 Campaign in Abuja and Rivers

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed plans to start and lead the campaign for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in Abuja and Rivers State.

Wike shared this news in Abuja on Friday after checking on the Kuje-Gwagwalada road dualisation project.

He stated that he would manage the campaign effort in the capital and extend the operations to Rivers, his home state.

He mentioned that political parties are getting ready, and Tinubu's supporters are set to launch a strong campaign.

"The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), I believe, is putting itself together for an aggressive campaign.

"For us who are supporting Mr President from different political platforms, we have put our machinery ready to kick-start.

"Very soon, I will inaugurate the campaign team for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers, which I will lead.

"All elements of the APC are ready, Mr President is ready, we are ready, and you can see the enthusiasm," he said.

Conflict with APC Governors

Wike, who is from the opposition PDP but serving in the APC-led federal government, has been in conflict with the governors of the ruling party. This is over the Rainbow Coalition he formed to support Tinubu’s re-election.

The governors, part of the Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) and led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, oppose the coalition. They see it as a political move that could hurt the APC and its candidates before the general elections.

They also accused Wike of using the coalition to back politicians who lost APC primaries and are now contesting elections under the PDP, which is Wike's party.

In response, Wike rejected the claim. He said the APC governors are against the coalition because they fear losing their elections. He also criticized their performance in their states.

Wike pointed out Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and Uzodimma as the main critics of the coalition, saying they act out of "selfish reasons."

With Wike leading Tinubu’s campaign in FCT and Rivers, it remains unclear how this fits into the overall campaign structure where the Imo State Governor serves as secretary.

Development Projects as Key to Support

Wike addressed his critics and political rivals by stating that visible development projects would drive electoral support in the FCT. He dismissed claims of electoral malpractice beforehand.

"People are happy, and I don’t know who will contest against the president as far as this election is concerned.

"This is governance, and this is what people expect. It will translate directly into actual votes," he said.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, is confident that the administration’s infrastructure achievements will win votes across the FCT. This includes support for Philip Aduda, the APC candidate for the territory, and for two House of Representatives seats.

"It is obvious. Nobody will be able to claim rigging in FCT. The ‘rigging’ is the projects we are delivering, making the people happy," he said.

He praised the contractor and site engineers for their progress on the project. He assured stakeholders that the necessary funds would be provided to complete the project by December.

"This is my first time getting to this side of the road, and I can see how highly populated this area is," he said.

Wike highlighted that delivering good infrastructure is key to good governance and public satisfaction.

"You can imagine the enthusiasm and happiness on the faces of the people. That is why we say the essence of governance is to make people happy.

"When the people are happy, those in authority are happy," he added, thanking President Tinubu for supporting capital projects in the territory.