Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has restated his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, declaring that the Rainbow Coalition is a platform for mobilising support for the President and not an extension of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike spoke on Monday after inspecting the ongoing ISEX 2 project, Southern Parkway and the road linking Nile University to Ring Road 3 in Lugbe, Abuja.
He said his immediate political concern was Tinubu’s second-term bid, insisting that he had made his position clear from the outset.
“My concern is that the President will be re-elected for the second term. That is my concern. And I made that known from the onset that I was going to support Mr President with all my might and strength,” Wike said.
The minister’s comments come against the backdrop of an escalating disagreement between supporters of the Rainbow Coalition and APC governors over the role and political implications of the platform.
The Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, has said APC governors would not support any political arrangement capable of weakening the party or affecting its candidates in the 2027 elections.
Wike, however, maintained that the coalition was designed to bring together APC members and like-minded Nigerians from other political parties who support Tinubu’s re-election.
“We said all our party members, all those like-minds who are not APC members, to please ensure that they support Mr President,” he said.
In an earlier clarification, Wike said the coalition had no affiliation with the APC and that his support was specifically for Tinubu’s presidential bid, while political parties could still field candidates in other elections.
The minister also dismissed speculation that he was positioning himself for the 2031 presidential election, saying political calculations beyond 2027 would depend on circumstances at the time.
“You know, people take the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive. You must ask God, ‘Keep me alive till tomorrow,’ or ‘Keep me alive till the next day.’ When God keeps you alive, then you now know what to do,” he said.
Wike, who served as Rivers State governor, recalled his participation in the 2022 PDP presidential primary, where he finished second, saying the experience had given him an understanding of Nigeria’s political dynamics.
Reacting to suggestions that he was already preparing for 2031, he asked: “So, am I positioning myself… in which of the parties am I positioning myself to?”
He added that the eventual succession of Tinubu in 2031 would also involve the President having an interest in who succeeds him.
Wike further disclosed that he would reveal what he described as the “undertones” behind opposition to the Rainbow Coalition during a television appearance.
“You will hear it today. What is the real cry about the Rainbow Coalition, the undertone. Nigerians don’t understand that there are undertones about it, and we’ll let the cat out of the bag so that Nigerians will be well-informed,” he said.
Wike Inspects Abuja Projects
Meanwhile, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of major road projects in Abuja, saying contractors had renewed their commitment to meeting delivery deadlines ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the inspection was part of efforts to monitor projects promised to residents of the FCT and ensure contractors adhered to agreed schedules.
“I came back yesterday and, as usual, I have to go round to check the ongoing projects which were promised to residents of Abuja to be completed before the elections,” he said.
Wike said CGC had reaffirmed its commitment to completing and handing over the High Court project by December.
On the second bridge around the Gaduwa axis, he said construction would intensify after the rains.
“The second bridge is ongoing, and they have said but for the heavy downpours, they would have started the earthworks. However, by the time the rain subsides, they will start heavy earthwork and still promise that to be completed before the elections,” he said.
At the Nile University–Ring Road 3 project, Wike said he was relieved by the progress recorded since his previous inspection, when he had expressed concern over the pace of work.
According to him, CCECC had committed to completing and handing over the project in the first week of January.
“I must say the management has committed itself that latest first week of January, they would have also handed over this project. So, I’m very, very happy that we are on schedule, on course, and the promise made by this administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be completed before we go for the general elections,” he said.
Wike said the renewed commitments by the contractors had eased his concerns, adding that he trusted them to meet the agreed deadlines.
“Last time I came, I was worried, but now I think I’m a bit relieved. With their further commitment, you saw what CGC said, and now CCECC has repeated that they will be on course. So, I trust them,” he said.
