Wike Takes Charge of Tinubu’s Campaign in FCT for 2027 Elections

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Monday announced that he will lead President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT. He promised to coordinate the campaign in the territory and Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike made this announcement at a stakeholders’ meeting of the Rainbow Coalition in Abuja. He revealed a plan to bring together members of the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party to ensure Tinubu’s re-election.

During the meeting, PDP National Assembly candidates in the FCT showed their support for their APC counterparts. Wike stated that the coalition had agreed to work together for Tinubu’s re-election and the success of APC candidates in the National Assembly elections.

“For the presidency, all of us have agreed that it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I am going to coordinate the FCT and Rivers State. So you can imagine how important it is. I am in charge of the FCT election. I am the commander of field operations as far as the FCT election is concerned,” the minister said.

The meeting included APC and PDP stakeholders, such as party chairmen, sitting and former senators, National Assembly candidates, and political leaders from the six area councils of the FCT. Wike explained that the gathering aimed to create a united political front for the elections, no matter the party affiliation of the attendees. “I want to let all of you know that we are going to work together. Nobody should say, ‘I am PDP’ or ‘I am APC.’ For the purpose of this election, we are together,” he said.

The former governor of Rivers State pointed to the upcoming 2024 Edo State governorship election as an example of how political partnerships can affect election results. He argued that the cooperation between factions of the APC and PDP had stopped the current governor from picking a successor. He emphasized that political differences could be put aside when everyone shares a common goal.

Wike clarified that the coalition's main focus is on the presidential election. The participating parties can decide their stance on other elections. He defended Tinubu’s re-election by urging political leaders to point out any of the FCT’s six area councils that had not gained from infrastructure projects and reforms under the current government.

He mentioned the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of a Head of the Civil Service from the local workforce, and the establishment of the Women Affairs and Youth Development Secretariats as proof of the administration’s successes. Wike noted that these reforms had opened doors for career growth among FCT civil servants and increased involvement in governance.

He also talked about various projects like road construction, school upgrades, police stations, and other public facilities being carried out across the territory. Wike is confident that the administration’s achievements will encourage FCT residents to support Tinubu in the 2027 elections.

Wike stood by the President’s economic reforms. He acknowledged that some policies have caused difficulties but insisted that tough choices are needed to tackle long-term economic issues. “Changing the economy of a country is not like a prayer,” he said, adding that the advantages of economic changes might not be seen right away.

He also backed the idea of establishing state police, calling it a necessary step to tackle Nigeria’s security problems.