Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, declaring that the Rainbow Coalition will deliver Rivers State and the FCT for the president.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing members of the Rivers Rainbow Coalition Youths in Port Harcourt, where he criticised opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi.
He questioned their credibility and consistency, describing Atiku as untrustworthy and Obi as a “fake man”, while insisting that voters should assess political leaders based on their records and tangible achievements rather than campaign promises.
The former Rivers governor said the Rainbow Coalition was committed to supporting what he described as purposeful leadership and sustaining development across the country.
He cited federal infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges, as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to improving living conditions.
“We are not playing politics for the sake of it without bringing benefits to our people. After all, we are not looking for those who are fine or finer. We are looking for those who will do something that will positively impact Nigerians and the Rivers people,” he said.
Wike maintained that Rivers State’s political decisions should be guided by the interests of its people and the benefits they could derive from the Federal Government.
He disclosed that at least 49 Rivers indigenes currently occupy prominent positions in the Federal Government, urging residents to consider the implications of their political choices.
“What is important is: where is Rivers State, where are we going, and how will the election benefit Rivers State? That’s what we’re talking about,” he said.
Describing some opposition politicians as political gamblers, Wike accused them of making promises without delivering results.
“You cannot vote for a political gambler. Every time, they come around making empty promises, but our people know better now,” he added.
The minister also urged coalition members to strengthen grassroots mobilisation and ensure greater youth participation in campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
He directed committees organising presidential rallies to include a reasonable number of young people, describing their involvement as crucial to the coalition’s electoral ambitions.
Earlier, the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, pledged to run a youth-friendly and inclusive administration if elected governor of Rivers State.
Chinda promised to prioritise education, vocational training and youth empowerment, including compulsory bursary payments by local government councils.
He thanked the coalition’s youths for supporting Wike’s political movement, assuring them that their contributions would be recognised.
“Our leader very sincerely appreciates that. And that is why he said, even if it is for five or 10 minutes. What we have come to do is to say thank you for what you have done. You are not forgotten. We appreciate you and will continue to appreciate you in different ways,” he said.
On student welfare, Chinda said local government chairmen would be expected to treat bursary payments as a priority.
“In fact, when you talked about bursary, he whispered to me, ‘You must take it very seriously.’
“So it will be compulsory for every local government council chairman to take the issues of bursary seriously. Compulsory, without compromise,” he said.
He also promised to expand technical and vocational education to equip young people with practical skills and improve their employment prospects.
Chinda reaffirmed the coalition’s support for Tinubu’s re-election, declaring that Rivers youths were prepared to mobilise behind the president.
“The message we are sending out today is that the youths of Rivers State are unapologetically, unconditionally standing firm with Tinubu for President,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Coordinator of the Rainbow Coalition Youths and South-South Coordinator of City Boys, Chima Aguma, pledged massive grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu and other coalition-backed candidates.
The President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), Justice Uranta, also promised to mobilise students across the state’s 23 local government areas, tertiary institutions and the diaspora in support of Tinubu and the coalition’s governorship candidate.
The youth leaders expressed confidence that their mobilisation efforts would strengthen the coalition’s chances in the 2027 general elections.