Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has intensified his political campaign for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, telling supporters in Rivers State that securing a second term for the President has become his overriding political focus.
Wike made the declaration on Monday while addressing stakeholders from the Rumueme and Apara kingdoms in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he called on residents to back Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
The former Rivers State governor said he believed Tinubu would find the road to re-election easier than the 2023 contest and urged his supporters to work towards delivering a strong electoral result for the President.
‘Everything I Am Doing Now Is About Tinubu’
Wike used unusually personal language to describe his commitment to Tinubu’s second-term campaign, saying the President’s re-election occupies his thoughts throughout his daily life.
“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s re-election. When I am eating, I think about the president’s re-election. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s re-election,” he said.
He subsequently asked Rivers residents to put political sentiments aside and support Tinubu based on what he described as the benefits the state had received from the current administration.
Wike Points to Appointments and Projects in Rivers
According to Wike, Tinubu has demonstrated recognition of Rivers State through federal appointments involving people from the state as well as development initiatives.
He argued that those factors should influence how Rivers voters approach the 2027 election, rather than partisan considerations.
“Let us forget sentiment and vote for the person who has recognised the people of Rivers State with dividends of democracy and with several appointments,” Wike said.
He added that he expected Tinubu’s re-election campaign to perform better in 2027 than the President did in 2023, urging residents to give the incumbent what he described as massive support.
Atiku-Amaechi Ticket Comes Under Attack
Wike also turned his attention to the opposition, particularly the African Democratic Congress ticket featuring former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi.
The FCT minister questioned the ticket’s ability to make a significant impact in Rivers State and argued that it would struggle to achieve the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in the state.
Wike also criticised Atiku over comments relating to election-related financial inducements, questioning the former vice-president’s anti-corruption credentials and referring to past criticisms of Atiku by former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Peter Obi and Other Opposition Figures Also Targeted
The former Rivers governor extended his criticism beyond the ADC ticket, taking aim at other opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 election.
Among those mentioned was Peter Obi, whom Wike described as “unelectable”, while questioning the wider electoral prospects of opposition figures seeking to challenge Tinubu.
The remarks underline the increasingly confrontational political atmosphere surrounding the 2027 presidential contest, with the major parties and political blocs already positioning themselves ahead of the election. INEC has published a final list containing 18 presidential candidates and their running mates for the January 2027 election, including Tinubu, Atiku and Obi.
Wike Warns Supporters Against Internal Disputes
Despite his attacks on political opponents, Wike also used the meetings to urge his own supporters and political allies in Rivers State to maintain unity.
He warned against internal disagreements and communal disputes, saying such conflicts could distract political stakeholders from their activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike encouraged his supporters not to become consumed by political disagreements and urged them to remain focused on their objectives.
‘What Will Be, Will Be’
The minister ended his appeal with a message urging his supporters not to become overly anxious about political outcomes.
“What will be, will be. You don’t need to kill yourself. Anything that God said would be, it would be,” he said.
His remarks come as the 2027 political contest takes shape, with Tinubu seeking another term and opposition parties preparing to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress at the polls. Wike’s latest intervention makes clear that securing support for Tinubu in Rivers State remains a central part of his political agenda.
