Wike's Fiery Ultimatum: Deliver States for Tinubu's 2027 Bid or Forfeit Victory Claims

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has issued a stringent warning to coordinators of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign. Speaking at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the State House Banquet Hall in Abuja, Wike stressed that campaign officials must be held accountable for their performance at the polls and must deliver their respective states to the President. He cautioned against claiming victory if their states fail to contribute significantly to Tinubu's re-election, emphasizing that a nationwide win should not serve as an excuse for poor electoral performance in individual states.

Wike, who was appointed coordinator for Tinubu’s campaign in Rivers State and the FCT, reiterated that positions and titles within the campaign council must directly translate into votes. He illustrated this point with a conversation he had with the Chief of Staff to the President regarding Lagos State, quoting himself as saying, “If you don’t win in Lagos, don’t say we have won.” He firmly stated that the core objective for every council member should be to ensure President Tinubu’s re-election.

Expressing unwavering confidence in his own assignment, the former Rivers State governor pledged that both Rivers State and the FCT would deliver massive votes for Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the January 16, 2027, presidential election. He affirmed, “Simple, there is not too much work for me. It’s Rivers and FCT, and let me say and pledge, by the grace of God, Rivers and FCT will vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is my job.” He further challenged area council officials in the FCT to acknowledge the President's tangible impact, stating, “I challenge any area council that can say they don’t see the presence of Mr President.” Campaign officials, he added, must focus on convincing voters and showcasing the President’s presence through projects and interventions in their areas.

Despite being a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Wike boldly declared himself the sole leader of the party, stating, “For me, as an opposition party member, as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, there are not two leaders of the PDP. I’m the leader of the PDP, so I speak on behalf of the Peoples Democratic Party.”

Wike also defended his cross-party support for Tinubu, arguing that belonging to an opposition party should not prevent politicians from acknowledging beneficial policies or actions by the ruling party. He articulated that democracy allows opposition parties to identify areas where the government has fallen short, but it does not mean denying its achievements. “Democracy is not that if the ruling party is doing well, because you are in opposition, you say they are not doing well. That is not democracy,” he explained.

Furthermore, Wike lauded President Tinubu for demonstrating the political will to address longstanding national challenges, specifically citing the proposed establishment of state police. He expressed optimism that this proposal, which previous administrations had acknowledged but failed to implement, would receive legislative approval in the coming months, highlighting it as a mark of true leadership. He also defended the inclusion of politicians from opposition parties in Tinubu’s campaign council, noting that the President had indicated a willingness to accommodate anyone with a valuable contribution, regardless of party affiliation. The attendance of Governors Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and Ademola Adeleke of Osun State at the inauguration, according to Wike, reflected the broad support Tinubu was garnering ahead of the election.