Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has again thrown his political weight behind President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, vowing to resign his ministerial appointment if the President loses in Rivers State and the FCT.
Wike made the declaration on Friday during a strategic meeting with traditional rulers, politicians and other stakeholders of Akpor Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The former Rivers governor also directed political leaders in the area to commence aggressive grassroots mobilisation, calling for an all-inclusive structure involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders and politicians.
Wike said his renewed return to grassroots politics was driven by his desire to contribute to the development of Rivers State and improve the lives of its people.
“My interest in Rivers State is for God to use me as a vessel to help our people. I am back here not for what I will get, but for what I will be to raise my people,” he said.
‘No permanent enemy in politics’
The FCT minister said political differences should not stand in the way of cooperation when there was a common interest, insisting that political strength was largely determined by the ability to build a broad support base.
“There is no permanent enemy in politics; what we have is permanent collective interest. It is all about the interest of our people,” Wike said.
He urged his supporters not to be distracted by criticism of his engagement with former political opponents, stressing the importance of building a larger political base.
Wike also reflected on his political journey and his appointment as FCT minister, saying his emergence in the Federal Executive Council was made possible by his relationship with Tinubu.
“You know how difficult, you know how impossible it looked, but he made it possible for us to produce the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.
Wike demands grassroots mobilisation
Wike charged stakeholders in Obio-Akpor to bring every segment of the community into the political mobilisation ahead of 2027.
“Obio-Akpor as a whole, whether you are a politician, whether you are a traditional ruler, whether you are a pastor, or whether you are a native doctor, I need everybody now,” he said.
“Because all of them will vote. For the purpose of voting and elections, we must bring everyone together.”
He directed local leaders to establish unit-level structures and deploy door-to-door canvassers across polling units to engage residents and mobilise support.
The minister singled out Wards 15, 16 and 17, saying the three wards had more than 200 polling units and could play a significant role in the electoral outcome in Obio-Akpor.
“We have over 200 units across three very important wards — Ward 15, Ward 16, and Ward 17. These three wards can defeat 10 wards in Obio-Akpor. They are three wards with a difference, and you must utilise them to make that difference,” he said.
‘People felt my impact’
Wike also recalled his tenure as chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government, attributing his re-election to his relationship with the people and the impact of his administration.
“I was not elected two times because I was just chairman. I was elected because people felt the impact of governance and because I related with the people,” he said.
He urged current council leaders to remain connected with their constituents and respond to their needs.
Wike further described himself as the state’s “Chief Critic”, saying he would continue to monitor elected council officials and demand accountability.
He attended the meeting with Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, and other political leaders.
