• Says 49 Rivers indigenes hold federal appointments
• Rainbow Coalition to unveil candidates October 27
• APC governorship candidate promises youth empowerment
PORT HARCOURT — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, declaring that Rivers State is firmly behind President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing youths of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, where he urged them to mobilise support for Tinubu and other candidates aligned with the coalition.
The minister questioned Atiku’s credibility, accusing the former vice-president of failing to keep his promises.
“I have been in the same party with Atiku Abubakar. He is not a man who keeps to his words. What he says in the night is not what he says in the morning,” Wike said.
He also criticised Atiku’s repeated presidential ambitions, describing him as a political gambler whose candidacy, in his view, would not serve the interests of Nigerians.
Wike did not spare Obi, whom he described as a “social media president” and a “fake man”, dismissing what he portrayed as an attempt to build political influence through online popularity.
“You can make him the president of social media so that he can be going to IDP camps to be celebrating their birthdays and buying corn on the road,” he said.
The FCT minister challenged opposition leaders to identify concrete projects and achievements that had improved the lives of Rivers residents, insisting that political support should be based on tangible results rather than public image.
Defending his support for Tinubu, Wike argued that Rivers State had benefited from federal appointments and infrastructure projects under the current administration.
He claimed that no fewer than 49 indigenes of Rivers State currently occupy prominent positions in the Federal Government, describing the figure as unprecedented in the current democratic dispensation.
Wike also pointed to the Bonny-Bodo Road and bridge network as evidence of the Federal Government’s commitment to infrastructure development in the state.
“We’re not looking for those who are fine or finer. We’re looking for those who will do something that will positively impact on Nigerians and also impact on Rivers people,” he said.
Reiterating his position, Wike told the youths that Rivers State should rally behind Tinubu and urged them to take the campaign to communities, traditional leaders and grassroots organisations across the state.
“Whether you are Atiku, whether you are Obi, Rivers State is for Tinubu!” he declared, drawing cheers from the gathering.
He further announced that the Rivers Rainbow Coalition would unveil its candidates on October 27, expressing confidence in the coalition’s continued political relevance in the state.
Chinda promises youth empowerment
In his remarks, the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, pledged to prioritise youth inclusion, vocational training and community development if elected.
Chinda said his proposed administration would restructure the state’s education system to place greater emphasis on technical and vocational education from primary to secondary school.
He argued that Rivers should develop its own pool of skilled workers in areas such as tiling, carpentry and electrical installation instead of relying on other locations for such services.
“There will be no compromise. We can only build the state if we build the youths,” he said.
He added that local government chairmen across the state’s 23 local government areas would be expected to make youth welfare and vocational training centres a priority.
Youth groups pledge support
Leaders of various youth groups at the event pledged to mobilise support for Tinubu and other candidates associated with the Rainbow Coalition.
Chima Aguma, coordinator of the Rivers State Rainbow Coalition Youth and South-South coordinator of City Boys, assured Wike of grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.
He described the gathering as a meeting of loyal supporters and pledged to work towards the victory of Tinubu and other coalition-backed candidates.
Similarly, Bani Nwisabari, chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, presented a recognition plaque to Wike, describing him as a symbol of political inclusion and youth empowerment.
Nwisabari said he had benefited from Wike’s appointment to the state’s Senior Secondary School Board, adding that he and other youths would support the minister’s political initiative ahead of 2027.
Justice Uranta, president of the National Union of Rivers State Students, also pledged to mobilise students across the state’s 23 local government areas, campuses and the diaspora in support of Tinubu and Chinda.
He cited the establishment of a permanent NURSS secretariat among initiatives aimed at promoting student welfare.
