ABUJA — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the only presidential candidate capable of winning Rivers State in the 2027 general election, insisting that anyone making electoral projections should exclude the state unless they are counting votes for the President.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, the former Rivers State governor said a broad political coalition made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), the Action Alliance (AA), and other political groups had united to support Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
“If anybody is counting Rivers, go now and cancel it. The only person that can count Rivers is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I’m not talking because I want to talk; I’m talking as a political realist because I know my people,” Wike said.
According to the minister, the coalition was deliberately formed to transcend party affiliations by backing candidates considered most capable of advancing the interests of Rivers State, regardless of their political platforms.
“Today, we have PDP, APC, Labour Party, AA all together. We have candidates across different political parties for the House of Assembly and National Assembly. We will support the candidate who is most acceptable. Whoever emerges should not be seen as APC or PDP; the person should be seen as the coalition’s candidate,” he stated.
Wike said the alliance had continued to attract support across Rivers State, describing its growth as rapid and inclusive.
“All we are doing is for one purpose—to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is all-inclusive and it is spreading like wildfire,” he added.
The FCT minister dismissed claims that the coalition was designed to strengthen any particular political party, stressing that its primary objective was to attract more development and federal projects to Rivers State.
“For me, what matters is Rivers State. If Rivers State is relevant because projects are coming and people are benefiting from government, then I am satisfied. It is not about personal ambition; it is about the interest of the state,” he said.
Reflecting on his political journey, Wike said his experience, spanning from local government chairman to governor and now minister, had equipped him with a deep understanding of Nigeria’s political landscape.
“I have been in politics since 1999. Nobody can teach me politics or tell me how to navigate it. Politics is about leadership and understanding the interests of your people,” he said.
The former governor also recalled the 2019 governorship election in Rivers State, alleging that massive federal force, including military personnel, was deployed against him, but that he ultimately emerged victorious.
“I saw what federal might means. Military personnel came with battalions as if Rivers State was at war. We survived it by the grace of God and fought back,” Wike said.
He maintained that his political influence in Rivers State stems from the confidence the people have in his leadership.
“Once the people trust you, they believe that what you tell them will happen. Leadership is about carrying the people along, and that is what we have continued to do,” he added.
