…Says opposition party cannot win governorship poll
…Claims Rivers got 47 federal appointments under APC-led government
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged Rivers State residents to dump the New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and support the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Wike, who predicted an easy victory for President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, made the appeal on Thursday at a Rainbow Coalition town hall meeting in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area.
He urged residents to vote for APC candidates at all levels, insisting that supporting opposition parties, particularly the NDC, would amount to wasting their votes.
The minister specifically warned against backing the NDC governorship candidate, whom he described as one of their sons, arguing that the party lacked the political strength to win the election.
“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,” Wike said.
He also took a swipe at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying its lingering internal crisis had weakened its chances of producing a credible presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
Wike equally criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, describing him as the president of social media and arguing that Nigeria needed a leader with the capacity to govern.
“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.
Defending Tinubu’s removal of the petrol subsidy, the minister acknowledged the economic hardship confronting Nigerians but insisted that the policy required courage and was necessary to address the country’s challenges.
“Leadership is key. This country requires leadership with courage. Our problem has been leadership,” he added.
Wike further claimed that Rivers State had secured at least 47 federal appointments under the Tinubu administration, describing the development as unprecedented.
He urged residents to appreciate what he described as the benefits of the state’s relationship with the Federal Government.
The former Rivers State governor also listed the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road and increased allocations to state and local governments among the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
Earlier, Wike paid homage to the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, HRM King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel II.
The traditional ruler commended efforts to sustain peace in the community and expressed hope that the 2027 election period would not be marked by the violence and tension that residents had feared during previous elections.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya Bob-Fubara, pledged to mobilise support for Tinubu and APC candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
