Nyesom Wike pledges massive votes for Tinubu in Rivers and the FCT in 2027, warning APC leaders against celebrating before securing victory
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to mobilise massive votes for President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT ahead of the 2027 general election, while cautioning political allies against celebrating victory before securing it at the polls.
Also read: 2027: Adebayo Tells Tinubu to ‘Go Home, Let Nigeria Breathe’
Wike, a former Rivers State governor, made the pledge while reaffirming his support for Tinubu despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The minister, who was appointed campaign coordinator for Rivers State and the FCT, said his priority was to ensure that the President received substantial electoral support in both areas.
“And let me say, I 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,” he said.
Wike also issued a warning to members of Tinubu’s political circle, stressing that the President’s supporters should not take electoral victory for granted.
He specifically mentioned Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, saying he should not celebrate the President’s victory if the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to win Lagos State.
The remark underscored Wike’s position that political celebrations should be backed by actual electoral results rather than assumptions about the outcome.
His comments come as political parties and their supporters begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with Lagos, Rivers and the FCT expected to attract considerable political attention.
The FCT minister also defended Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that the President had shown the courage to tackle longstanding challenges facing Nigeria.
He cited the proposed establishment of state police as an example, saying successive administrations had recognised the need for such a reform to address insecurity but had failed to take decisive action.
Wike expressed optimism that the initiative could receive approval within the coming months.
The proposed state police system has remained a subject of national debate, with supporters arguing that decentralising policing could improve responses to local security threats, while questions remain about funding, accountability and possible political interference.
Wike’s comments suggest that he views the proposed reform as evidence of Tinubu’s willingness to confront difficult national issues.
Wike also maintained that belonging to an opposition party should not prevent politicians from acknowledging the achievements of a government led by another political party.
Although he described himself as a PDP leader, the minister insisted that his support for Tinubu was based on his assessment of the President’s leadership rather than party loyalty.
His position reflects the political divisions within the PDP and the broader debate over cross-party alliances ahead of the next presidential election.
Wike has remained a prominent supporter of Tinubu despite the President’s membership of the APC, a stance that has continued to generate debate among opposition figures and party loyalists.
With the 2027 election approaching, political leaders are increasingly making their positions known, while parties work to strengthen their support bases across the country.
Wike’s pledge to mobilise votes in Rivers State and the FCT places him at the centre of Tinubu’s efforts to consolidate support in the two areas.
However, the eventual electoral outcome will depend on voters’ decisions, campaign strategies, party alliances and developments in the months leading up to the election.
Also read: 2027: Adebayo Tells Tinubu to ‘Go Home, Let Nigeria Breathe’
For Wike, the immediate objective is clear: to help deliver substantial support for Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT while urging the President’s allies not to assume victory before the votes are counted.
