Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged political stakeholders in Rivers State to support President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Wike made the call during a consultative meeting with stakeholders from Akpor Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area. He also repeated his pledge to resign as FCT Minister if Tinubu loses both Rivers State and the FCT in the election.
The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission. Wike said he would announce his resignation on January 17 if Tinubu fails to win in the two territories.
Wike Explains His Interest in Rivers Politics
Wike said his continued involvement in Rivers politics was driven by his desire to contribute to the state. He said he returned to engage with residents rather than pursue personal interests.
“My interest in Rivers State is for God to use me as a vessel to help our people,” Wike said. He added that his focus was on raising and supporting his people.
The former Rivers State governor also called for political actors to move beyond past disagreements. He said collective interests should take priority over longstanding political differences.
“There is no permanent enemy in politics; what we have is permanent collective interest,” Wike said. His remarks were made as he sought broader support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 poll.
For more coverage of political mobilisation in Rivers, readers can also see Wike Responds to Uzodimma, Defends Rainbow Coalition Support for Tinubu.
Wike Calls for Broad Political Support
Wike urged political leaders to bring different groups together ahead of the election. He specifically mentioned traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians and other community stakeholders.
He said every group would have a role during the voting process. According to Wike, political leaders must therefore build a broad support base across Obio-Akpor.
“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.
Wike added that the various groups should work together for the election. He said their participation would be important in mobilising voters across the area.
His comments come amid increased political activity ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Wike has continued to publicly support Tinubu despite remaining associated with the Peoples Democratic Party.
For another report on the 2027 political landscape, read NDC Set to Inaugurate 2027 Presidential Campaign Council as Obi, Kwankwaso Get Say on Key Appointments.
Wike Repeats Resignation Pledge
The FCT Minister again linked his continued stay in office to Tinubu’s performance in Rivers State and the FCT. He said he would resign if the President loses the presidential election in both areas.
Wike first made the pledge during an engagement with members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association in Abuja. He said the FCT was where he worked, while Rivers remained his home state.
“If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,” Wike said. He also said he would have no reason to remain FCT Minister if Tinubu loses the territory.
Wike has now repeated the pledge during his Rivers engagement. He said he would announce his resignation the day after the January 16 presidential election if Tinubu loses Rivers and the FCT.
The pledge has become part of Wike’s public campaign for Tinubu ahead of the election. It also links his political mobilisation efforts to his continued role as FCT Minister.
Readers can also see Tinubu Moves to Define Wike’s Role as FCT, Rivers Campaign Coordinator for related political developments.
Wike Highlights Obio-Akpor Wards
Wike identified Wards 15, 16 and 17 in Obio-Akpor as important areas for political mobilisation. He said the three wards collectively have more than 200 polling units.
He urged political leaders to pay attention to the polling units ahead of the election. Wike also called for stronger grassroots mobilisation across the communities.
“We have over 200 units across three very important wards: Ward 15, Ward 16, and Ward 17,” he said. He argued that the three wards could have a major impact on the election in Obio-Akpor.
Wike directed political leaders to appoint unit coordinators and door-to-door canvassers. He said the organisers should engage residents across the different polling areas.
The former governor also urged political actors to maintain contact with voters. He said broader engagement would help bring different sections of the community into the electoral process.
For another story on election preparations, see 7 Political Parties Sign Peace Accord Ahead of Sept. 26 Enugu LG Polls.
Wike Recalls His Obio-Akpor Tenure
Wike also reflected on his time as the first elected chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government. He recalled winning a second term after the council was created in 1989.
The former governor attributed his re-election at the time to his relationship with residents. He also pointed to what he described as the impact of his administration.
“I was not elected two times because I was just Chairman,” Wike said. He added that his relationship with residents contributed to his political support.
Wike said he regularly participated in community activities during his tenure. He cited occasions such as burials and thanksgiving ceremonies as examples of his grassroots engagement.
He used the experience to urge current political leaders to maintain contact with residents. His comments focused on grassroots relationships as part of election mobilisation.
For related coverage of grassroots political engagement, read Nara Residents Rally Behind Ogbuekwe as APC Takes Mbah’s Development Message to Wards.
Wike Says He Will Monitor Rivers Officials
Wike also said he would continue monitoring elected local government officials in Rivers State. He described himself as the state’s “Chief Critic”.
The former governor said he would continue to speak about the performance of elected officials. His comments came as he urged political stakeholders to remain engaged with developments across the state.
Wike’s role in Rivers politics has remained prominent since he left office as governor. He has continued to participate in political discussions involving the state while serving as FCT Minister.
His latest meeting focused on strengthening political mobilisation ahead of 2027. He urged stakeholders to work together despite differences among political actors.
Another related report is Desmond Elliot Begs Gbajabiamila, Seeks Reconciliation With APC, which examines another political reconciliation effort.
Wike’s Tinubu Support Ahead of 2027
Wike has continued to publicly support Tinubu’s bid for another term in office. His latest Rivers meeting formed part of his ongoing political activities ahead of the 2027 election.
He called on stakeholders to build a wider support network across Obio-Akpor. He also urged politicians to work with traditional, religious and community leaders.
The minister said his involvement in Rivers politics was connected to what he described as the collective interest of the state. He urged political actors to set aside previous disagreements while preparing for the election.
Wike also linked his political efforts to his personal responsibility as FCT Minister. He said the election results in Rivers and the FCT would determine whether he keeps his ministerial position.
For more reporting on the 2027 contest, readers can see Sowore Pledges ₦500,000 Wage, 24-Hour Electricity If Elected.
Political Mobilisation Continues in Rivers
The Akpor Kingdom meeting adds to the political engagements taking place ahead of the 2027 elections. Wike’s message focused on grassroots mobilisation and support for Tinubu.
He urged stakeholders to involve residents across the different communities. He also identified polling units as key areas for organising ahead of the vote.
Wike’s resignation pledge has also added a personal commitment to his political campaign. He has said he would step down on January 17, 2027, if Tinubu loses both Rivers State and the FCT.
The presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027. The outcome in Rivers and the FCT will therefore determine whether Wike follows through on the resignation pledge he has publicly announced.
For more political developments involving Tinubu, read Remi Tinubu Urges Nigerians to Re-elect Her Husband.
Other related reports include Adebayo Urges Nigerian Youths to Take Politics Beyond Social Media and Peter Obi Arrives Jos, Heads to Mangu to Visit Attack Victims.
Wike Rivers Tinubu Mobilisation
Wike’s latest engagement centred on mobilising Rivers stakeholders for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He urged political leaders and community stakeholders in Obio-Akpor to work together despite previous disagreements.
He also reiterated that he would resign as FCT Minister if Tinubu loses both Rivers State and the FCT. Wike said he would announce the resignation on January 17, 2027, one day after the presidential election, if that condition is met.
His remarks focused on grassroots mobilisation, community participation and political coordination. He also called for traditional rulers, religious leaders, politicians and other stakeholders to participate in the electoral process.
The meeting reflects Wike’s continued public involvement in the 2027 political contest. It also comes as political actors across Nigeria intensify preparations for the presidential election.
