The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election in Rivers State, insisting that the political structure being mobilised across the state is firmly behind the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike made the declaration on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he urged residents to support APC candidates at all levels in the forthcoming elections.
He called on the people to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, as well as the APC governorship candidate, Kinsley Chinda, and other party candidates contesting for seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly.
The former Rivers State governor described the APC as the strongest political platform ahead of the January 16, 2027 election, warning that voting for candidates outside the party could amount to wasted votes.
Wike specifically cautioned residents against supporting a son of the area contesting the governorship election under the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that the party lacked the political strength to secure victory.
“I know one of your sons is running for governorship under NDC. We want our son to be governor, but we must be realistic. As it is today, he cannot be under that party. It is not possible,” he said.
He argued that political decisions should be guided by electoral realities rather than emotional attachment to candidates, adding that the area already had a governorship candidate and deputy governor within the APC political structure.
Wike also dismissed the possibility of opposition parties mounting a formidable challenge against Tinubu in 2027, citing the internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and difficulties in building a strong opposition coalition.
“Talking about the crisis in the PDP, I have said it will be difficult for us to present a credible presidential candidate that can challenge this election. Therefore, there is no need to bother ourselves. Let us continue to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Defending the President’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, Wike described the decision as evidence of political courage and leadership.
Although he acknowledged that the policies had brought hardship to Nigerians, he maintained that the sacrifices were necessary to reposition the country’s economy and would eventually produce positive results.
The minister also credited the Tinubu administration with increasing federal allocations to state and local governments, claiming that local government chairmen now had more resources to execute development projects.
He further claimed that Rivers State had received at least 47 federal appointments under Tinubu’s administration, describing the figure as unprecedented compared with previous administrations.
Wike also highlighted the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road as one of the major achievements of the Tinubu administration in Rivers State, noting that the project had ended residents’ longstanding dependence on water transportation for certain journeys.
He recalled infrastructure projects executed during his tenure as governor, including roads, bridges and the rehabilitation of public facilities, as well as the recognition of traditional rulers in Abonnema and neighbouring communities.
Taking a swipe at opposition presidential hopefuls, particularly former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, Wike dismissed social media popularity and public displays of humility as insufficient qualifications for Nigeria’s presidency.
He argued that the country needed a leader with the experience and courage to make difficult decisions rather than one whose popularity was largely driven by social media.
“If it is to vote for who will be the president of social media, vote for Obi. But when you are talking about the President of Nigeria, no. This country requires leadership,” he said.
Earlier, Wike paid a traditional homage to the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, HRM King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel II.
The monarch expressed appreciation for Wike’s previous infrastructural interventions in the community, while also commending the prevailing atmosphere of peace and cooperation in the region.
He expressed optimism that the forthcoming elections would be peaceful, noting that residents had previously experienced anxiety over possible electoral violence.
Similarly, the Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya Bob-Fubara, pledged to continue mobilising residents to support Tinubu’s re-election and other APC candidates.
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