Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he remains in control of his political structure in Rivers State and the FCT, vowing to work for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, made the declaration on Wednesday during a media interaction in Port Harcourt, where he also dismissed the notion that political influence is determined solely by occupying the office of governor.
“You do not need to be governor before you can be in charge. I am the General Commander of the Political Infantry; therefore, I am in charge. So also in FCT,” he said.
The minister said he had taken responsibility for ensuring that both Rivers and the FCT support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
“I owe the president to give these two. As far as the election is concerned, you count FCT as a state,” Wike said.
He was particularly confident of an APC victory in the FCT, declaring that no opposition party would defeat the ruling party in the territory.
“No party will win the presidential election in the FCT except the APC,” he said.
Wike attributed his confidence to the performance of the Tinubu administration in the FCT, as well as projects being executed under his leadership.
He said his appointment as FCT minister provided him with an opportunity to demonstrate that governance could produce tangible results when leaders were committed to work.
“I came to the FCT to prove a point that there’s nothing difficult about governance if you choose to work. You can check my record as governor of Rivers State,” he said.
The former governor cited the construction of 12 flyovers during his tenure in Rivers as part of his record, arguing that his performance in the FCT had equally demonstrated his capacity to deliver infrastructure.
“I came to FCT to prove a point that there’s nothing difficult if you want to work, and whether you agree or not, we’ve been able to change that narrative,” he said.
‘I know they will come for my head’
Wike said he was aware that his outspoken support for Tinubu could make him one of the principal targets of the opposition if the President loses the 2027 election.
“I will be the first politician that I think they will come after. I will be the first politician. I know they will come for my head,” he said.
Despite the potential consequences, Wike said he remained committed to the President's re-election and was not concerned about the criticism generated by his political position.
“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s reelection. When I am eating, I think about the president’s reelection. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s reelection,” he said.
The minister, who was part of the opposition PDP's leadership structure before becoming a member of Tinubu's cabinet, said he had been subjected to intense criticism but remained unperturbed.
“I don’t see where anybody in this country today has been called names the way my name has been. I am not bothered about people who say their [own] thing. My business is, like I said, I am going to support Mr President,” he said.
Wike also expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure enough votes across the country to retain the presidency.
“There is nowhere in the North that the President will not make 25 per cent. There are so many places in the South Atiku won’t have 10 per cent,” he said.
Wike defends participation of EFCC suspects in campaigns
The FCT minister also defended the participation of individuals under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in political campaigns.
His comments followed controversy over the inclusion of former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, in Tinubu's campaign structure ahead of the 2027 election.
Edu was suspended by President Tinubu in January 2024 following allegations of financial impropriety and was subsequently investigated by the EFCC. She has not been publicly convicted of any offence arising from the investigation.
Wike questioned why a person facing an EFCC investigation should be prevented from canvassing votes when individuals who have faced criminal proceedings have previously contested elections and occupied public office.
“You were asking the moral justification of putting someone who has an EFCC case to be in a campaign council,” he said.
“Now, somebody cannot be in a campaign to canvass for votes for a particular person, but somebody who has an EFCC case can contest an election and win an election?”
He cited an unnamed politician who, according to him, had been charged to court in an EFCC-related case before contesting an election and becoming governor.
“This person had an EFCC case in court, charged to court. He contested an election and became a Governor,” Wike said.
He further argued that even a person serving a prison sentence could express political preferences and encourage others to vote for a particular candidate.
“Even a prisoner… I go and visit the person. The person can tell me, ‘My brother, I want you to support so-and-so candidate.’ A prisoner has canvassed for vote,” he said.
Wike also referred to an unnamed individual accused of involvement in a coup plot, using the example to argue that allegations or investigations should not automatically prevent a person from participating in political activities.
APC defends Betta Edu
The controversy over Edu's role in the campaign structure had earlier drawn a defence from APC campaign council spokesperson Kemi Asekun-Shittu.
She argued that Edu had not been found guilty of any offence and should not be excluded from political activity indefinitely because of an ongoing investigation.
Asekun-Shittu said the APC campaign committee was an internal party arrangement and that the party was entitled to determine those who would participate in its activities.
She, however, acknowledged that the campaign list was not final and could still be reviewed.
‘I came home to reconnect’
Wike also explained his return to Rivers State, dismissing speculation that he intended to relocate from Abuja.
He said the visit was primarily to reconnect with his political supporters and inspect developments in the state, while also spending time with his family.
“It’s not about relocating; it’s about coming home to reconnect with my people and talk to them, not taking chances… so that they don’t just sit in Abuja and think everything is going well,” he said.
According to him, his return was not solely politically motivated, as he also needed to visit his parents and attend to other personal matters.
“I have parents who are still alive; I have to see them and do other things,” he said.
However, Wike acknowledged that the visit had political significance given the approach of the 2027 elections.
“Politics, of course, this is the time. You want me to fold my hand for Atiku to come and win the election?” he asked.
The minister's latest comments further underline his determination to remain politically active in Rivers State while using his position in the FCT to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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