Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that the people of Ogoni in Rivers State will reward President Bola Tinubu with their votes in the 2027 general elections for establishing the Federal University of Environment and Technology and appointing their indigenes to key federal positions.
Wike spoke on Wednesday at a Rainbow Coalition town hall meeting with residents of Tai Local Government Area, held at Gbenegininwa Hall, Saakpenwa, where he highlighted the university’s potential to drive employment, economic growth and development in the area.
He urged the people to appreciate the long-term benefits of the institution, describing its establishment as a major opportunity to transform the fortunes of Ogoni communities.
The minister credited the late Senator Barry Mpigi with playing a significant role in securing federal approval for the university before his death in March 2026.
He explained that establishing a federal university required extensive legislative and executive processes, making the institution a valuable achievement for the community.
“If you don’t know what it is, even me as a minister, it would be difficult to go through the National Assembly. The National Assembly will pass it, it will now go to the President. Sometimes, the bill will stay there for years,” Wike said.
He added that the institution’s developmental impact would become more apparent as it expanded its academic programmes and operations.
“You don’t know what you have because the university just started. By the time this university stays four years, five years, then you will know the development,” he said.
According to Wike, the university would create jobs for qualified indigenes while stimulating economic activities in accommodation, transportation, trade and other service sectors.
He maintained that the establishment of the institution, alongside the appointment of Ogoni sons and daughters to federal positions, provided reasons for the people to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The minister also used the meeting to address political reconciliation within the Rainbow Coalition, welcoming associates who had returned after disagreements.
He insisted that the group had not split into different political parties, describing the dispute among members as a minor disagreement that should not undermine their collective political interests.
“Let me first of all welcome my brothers. They didn’t go anywhere. There was no fight, they didn’t go to any other party, the same party, but there was a small fight and so we’ve all come back together to work as a team,” he said.
Wike commended the Tai council chairman for facilitating reconciliation and urged the coalition’s leadership to ensure that returning members were treated fairly.
He said the town hall was also an opportunity for political stakeholders to assess their options and determine what would best serve Tai, Ogoni and the Rivers South-East Senatorial District.
The minister challenged residents to assess political leaders based on their records and contributions to development rather than rely solely on campaign promises.
He also urged political leaders in Tai to mobilise support for Tinubu and other candidates backed by the Rainbow Coalition, setting a target of securing 70 per cent of votes cast in their favour in the forthcoming elections.
Wike clarified that the target referred to votes actually cast, not 70 per cent of registered voters. He recalled Tai’s history of delivering early election results in the Rivers South-East Senatorial District and encouraged the council to maintain that record.
He added that the local government could receive additional support if it achieved the proposed target, describing the incentive as a way to strengthen grassroots mobilisation.
Meanwhile, the Tai Local Government Council disclosed plans to partner with Wike on an estate project to provide accommodation for students, parents and visitors to the university.
Council chairman and Rainbow Coalition coordinator in Tai, Mbakpone Okpe, said the necessary processes had been concluded, with developers expected to sign an agreement before work begins.
Okpe also disclosed that the council had constructed the university’s entrance gate and an approximately one-kilometre dual carriageway within the premises to complement the Federal Government’s investment.
He said Tai recorded 4,568 collected Permanent Voter Cards during the first-quarter distribution exercise, adding that the coalition was working to integrate former members and mobilise supporters across the local government’s 10 wards.
The chairman further disclosed that the council had set aside ₦100 million in an account in preparation for the proposed incentive scheme.
At the meeting, the people of Tai also paid tribute to Mpigi and thanked Wike for supporting the late senator’s family and community following his death.
Okpe said the minister took responsibility for the burial arrangements, easing the burden on the family and the community.
He also disclosed that his administration spent about ₦120 million monthly on an empowerment programme benefiting at least 3,400 people.
Okpe pledged that the council would continue supporting the university’s development and pursuing infrastructure and other projects to improve living conditions across Tai.