Wike Predicts Easy Tinubu Victory in Rivers in 2027
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election in Rivers State with ease, urging residents to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels.
Wike made the declaration on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he mobilised support for Tinubu’s re-election and other APC candidates ahead of the January 16, 2027 election.
He urged the people to support the APC governorship candidate, Kinsley Chinda, as well as the party’s candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly.
The former Rivers governor described the APC as the strongest political platform ahead of the elections, warning that votes cast for candidates on weaker platforms could amount to wasted efforts.
He specifically cautioned residents against supporting an indigene of the area contesting the governorship election on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that the party lacked the political structure to secure victory.
“I know one of your sons is running for governorship under NDC. We want our son to be governor, but we must be realistic. As it is today, he cannot be under that party. It is not possible,” Wike said.
He maintained that political considerations should take precedence over emotional attachment to candidates, noting that the APC already had a governorship candidate and deputy governor from the political fold.
Wike also dismissed the chances of opposition parties mounting a serious challenge against Tinubu in 2027, citing the lingering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and difficulties facing efforts to build a formidable opposition coalition.
“Talking about the crisis in the PDP, I have said it will be difficult for us to present a credible presidential candidate that can challenge this election. Therefore, there is no need to bother ourselves. Let us continue to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Defending Tinubu’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, Wike described the decision as an indication of courage and decisive leadership.
Although he acknowledged the hardship associated with the policies, he argued that the sacrifices were necessary to reposition the economy and would yield positive results as implementation progressed.
According to him, previous administrations avoided such difficult decisions because of their potential political consequences.
“This country requires leadership with courage. Our problem has been leadership,” he said.
The FCT minister cited comments attributed to former Central Bank of Nigeria governor and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, questioning whether a conventional politician seeking re-election would have taken some of the decisions implemented by Tinubu.
Wike further credited the present administration with increasing federal allocations to states and local governments, saying the additional resources had strengthened their capacity to execute development projects.
He also disclosed that Rivers State had secured at least 47 federal appointments under Tinubu’s administration, describing the figure as unprecedented when compared with previous governments led by Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.
On infrastructure, Wike highlighted the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road as one of the major benefits of the Tinubu administration to Rivers State.
He noted that the road had ended the long-standing dependence of residents on water transportation to access communities along the corridor.
The former governor also recalled infrastructure projects executed during his eight-year administration in Rivers, including roads, bridges and rehabilitation of public facilities, as well as the recognition accorded traditional rulers in Abonnema and neighbouring communities.
Taking a swipe at opposition presidential hopefuls, particularly former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, Wike dismissed social media popularity and public displays of humility as inadequate qualifications for national leadership.
He argued that Nigeria needed a president with the experience, political capacity and courage to make difficult decisions.
“If it is to vote for who will be the president of social media, vote for Obi. But when you are talking about the President of Nigeria, no. This country requires leadership,” he said.
Wike urged Akuku-Toru residents to support the APC from the presidential election to the state legislature, expressing confidence that the party would produce elected representatives across the various levels of government.
Earlier, the minister paid a traditional homage to the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, HRM King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel II.
The monarch thanked Wike for his previous infrastructural interventions in the community and commended the prevailing peace and cooperation in the area.
He expressed optimism that the political atmosphere ahead of the 2027 elections would remain peaceful, unlike previous election seasons when residents feared possible violence.
The Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya Bob-Fubara, also pledged to mobilise residents in support of Tinubu’s re-election and other APC candidates.