Port Harcourt — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that Rivers State is at the forefront of early political mobilisation in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.
Wike stated this on Friday in Port Harcourt during the inauguration of senatorial and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a political platform established to promote the policies and programmes of the Tinubu administration.
According to the former Rivers State governor, the state has demonstrated leadership in political organisation and mobilisation and would continue to play a leading role in rallying support for the President.
“I am aware that other states may inaugurate similar structures after today, but Rivers State has set the pace,” Wike said, adding that political support must be reflected through action rather than rhetoric.
He noted that preparations ahead of the 2027 elections had commenced, with plans underway to inaugurate ward-level coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors across the state.
Wike also raised concerns about the level of alignment of the state government with the President’s re-election efforts, arguing that political rewards are tied to loyalty and commitment rather than financial contributions.
“You cannot be in a position of authority and fail to align openly with the President while expecting political benefits,” he said, stressing that commitment, not financial capacity, determines political reward.
Describing the gathering as a broad-based coalition, Wike thanked President Tinubu for supporting the emergence of coalition-backed candidates for the February 21 by-elections in Khana Constituency II and Ahoada West Constituency II.
He urged voters to participate actively in the by-elections, regardless of party affiliation, in order to sustain support for the Renewed Hope Agenda, noting that logistical arrangements had been put in place to facilitate mobilisation.
Earlier, Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, commended supporters drawn from different political parties for their turnout, describing it as a demonstration of cross-party support for the President.
Speaking on behalf of federal government political appointees from the state, Senator George Sekibo assured the President of continued support from Rivers State, while expressing appreciation for federal appointments and ongoing projects in the state.
According to him, the scale of federal projects and appointments in Rivers State under the current administration was unprecedented.
Similarly, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, who spoke on behalf of the National Assembly caucus, reaffirmed support for President Tinubu’s re-election, saying the state would improve on its 2023 performance in 2027.
Also pledging support were Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, as well as the chairmen of the PDP and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Aaron Chukwuemeka and Tony Okocha.
