2027: Only Tinubu Can Win Rivers, Wike Declares

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is the only presidential candidate capable of winning Rivers State in the 2027 general election, urging political observers to “cancel Rivers” from their electoral calculations if they are not counting votes for the President.

Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, Wike said a broad political coalition comprising members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), the Action Alliance (AA), and other political groups had resolved to work together in support of Tinubu’s re-election while prioritising the interests of Rivers State.

“If anybody is counting Rivers, go now and cancel it. The only person that can count Rivers is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I’m not talking because I want to talk; I’m talking as a political realist because I know my people,” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor explained that the coalition was intentionally structured to transcend party lines by supporting candidates considered best suited to represent the interests of the state, regardless of their political platform.

“Today, we have PDP, APC, Labour Party, AA all together. We have candidates across different political parties for the House of Assembly and National Assembly. We will support the candidate who is most acceptable. Whoever emerges should not be seen as APC or PDP; the person should be seen as the coalition’s candidate,” he stated.

According to the FCT minister, the alliance has continued to gain momentum across Rivers State.

“All we are doing is for one purpose—to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is all-inclusive and it is spreading like wildfire,” he added.

Wike dismissed suggestions that the coalition was aimed at strengthening a particular political party, insisting that its primary objective was to ensure continued development in Rivers State.

“For me, what matters is Rivers State. If Rivers State is relevant because projects are coming and people are benefiting from government, then I am satisfied. It is not about personal ambition; it is about the interest of the state,” he said.

Reflecting on his political career, Wike said his experience, from serving as a local government chairman to governor and now FCT minister, had equipped him with a deep understanding of politics and governance.

“I have been in politics since 1999. Nobody can teach me politics or tell me how to navigate it. Politics is about leadership and understanding the interests of your people,” he said.

The minister also recalled the 2019 governorship election in Rivers State, alleging that massive federal force was deployed against him but that he still emerged victorious.

“I saw what federal might means. Military personnel came with battalions as if Rivers State was at war. We survived it by the grace of God and fought back,” Wike said.

He attributed his political success to the confidence and trust reposed in him by the people of Rivers State.

“Once the people trust you, they believe that what you tell them will happen. Leadership is about carrying the people along, and that is what we have continued to do,” he added.