2027: I’m Backing Tinubu For 2nd Term, Wike Declares, Knocks Party’s Crisis

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has thrown his weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, declaring that he would pitch his tent with the President for a second term in office.

Wike, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also criticised his party for failing to learn from the internal crises plaguing it.

The minister made his stance public on Monday during his first monthly media parley for the year 2026, held in Abuja.

Wike, a prominent figure who served as governor of Rivers State, did not mince words regarding his political loyalty moving forward.

While acknowledging his membership in the PDP, he made it clear that his support is reserved for President Tinubu, irrespective of party lines.

“As it is today, my party seems to have not learned, and I am also going to support the President for a second term in office,” Wike stated.

He drew a parallel between his current position and his experience within the PDP, emphasising that his allegiance is to individuals who back the President.

According to Wike, his decision is a continuation of a stance he has held since his appointment as a minister.

“I didn’t beat around the bush when I said that as a minister, my party never asked me about the candidates they were planning to put forward, and I made it clear that I would only support candidates who backed the president,” he explained.

Wike further clarified that his support is issue-based and tied to President Tinubu, rather than being strictly partisan.

He stressed that this focus would prevent him from being drawn into any political maneuvering against the President.

“I never said I would support that particular party, but I did say I would support candidates who are in favor of the Mr President, regardless of which party they are from.

“That’s where I’m going to focus my support. So the problem of me being part of a group that’s working for another group doesn’t come up,” he said.

The minister also defended the curfew imposed ahead of the February 21 area council elections in the FCT, insisting he acted within his powers as the governor of the FCT and did not influence the outcome of the polls.

Wike dismissed allegations that the security measure was a unilateral decision, stating that the action was approved by President Tinubu.

“I have the right, I am the governor of 3,000 polling units. For security, I have to find out what is going on. I don’t have to be told, I am not a candidate for the election,” Wike said.

Responding to criticism regarding his movements across the territory on election day, the former Rivers State governor questioned how visiting a few locations could have swayed the results in an area with thousands of polling units.

“FCT has not less than 3,000 polling units. Assuming I went to 10 polling units to check what was going on, how will it affect 3,000 polling units?

“As a candidate, I cannot move around. I must have my agents. As the chief security officer, I have a right to have a view of what is going on. How does it affect or influence the election?” he said.