2027: Ensure Tinubu Wins Your Ward, LGs, States—Wike Tells Supporters

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged political stakeholders backing President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections to focus on delivering victory for the President in their wards, local governments and states rather than seeking positions in the presidential campaign structure.

Wike gave the charge on Saturday while speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja. He also dismissed suggestions that he was interested in becoming the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.

According to the minister, electoral success begins from the grassroots, insisting that political influence is measured by the ability to win one’s home base.

“Every politics is local. If you cannot deliver the president in your state, how will you say you want an election? If you lose your own state, even if you’re DG, you’ll be ashamed,” Wike said.

He stressed that campaign titles were less important than actual electoral performance.

“What’s important is that you are able to deliver those two states. So it’s not about being DG. If you’re DG and you don’t win your state, what’s the essence of the DG?”

Wike said he would rather concentrate on his political base than pursue a prominent role in Tinubu’s campaign organisation, recalling that some politicians who previously served as directors-general of presidential campaigns failed to deliver their own states.

He cited former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong as examples.

“I don’t want to lose my state! I will be in my state. I have two states: FCT and my state,” he said.

Although he reaffirmed his support for Tinubu, Wike maintained that he is not a member of the APC and said supporting the President does not require membership of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council.

“We don’t need to be members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. We are doing our own work,” he said.

The former Rivers State governor said the political alliance that worked for Tinubu’s victory in the 2023 election was a “Rainbow Coalition” comprising supporters from different political backgrounds, adding that similar arrangements would shape the 2027 elections across states.

On Tinubu’s re-election prospects, Wike argued that the administration’s infrastructure projects in the FCT would serve as its strongest campaign message.

“When people have asked me about campaign, I say, ‘What is campaign? See the campaign!’ Campaign is what have you done for the people? What has the government got to show?” he said.

“It’s not about promises; it’s about really putting in action that things indeed will have a positive impact in the lives of the people.”

The minister spoke while inspecting the Apo-Karshi Road project and the 14-kilometre dualisation of the Bwari-Kubwa Satellite Town access road.

He described the Apo-Karshi Road as one of the long-abandoned projects inherited by the Tinubu administration, noting that the contract was originally awarded in 2010 before it was terminated and re-awarded to SCC because of persistent complaints from residents.

“The Apo-Karshi road has been a topical issue. That was a road that was awarded in 2010 as one of those projects that Mr. President inherited,” Wike said.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, disclosing that the contractor had assured the FCT Administration the road would be completed by November despite payment challenges.

Wike also praised SCC for continuing construction while awaiting payments, saying the company had demonstrated confidence in the administration’s commitment to honouring its obligations.

On the Bwari-Kubwa project, the minister said the dual carriageway would significantly improve connectivity and economic activities in the satellite towns.

“Here we are, it’s Bwari to Kubwa. The dualisation of the satellite town access road, 14 kilometres. I don’t think the people of this area ever dreamed that there’ll be a road here to Kubwa. Again, it’s part of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” he said.

He further disclosed that the FCT Administration plans to complete and commission more major infrastructure projects before the 2027 elections.

According to him, the number of projects slated for commissioning could exceed the 10 initially announced because of the progress recorded on several ongoing works.

“Before the election, I gave 10 projects that we commissioned. If care is not taken, it may be more than 10 projects that are very impactful to the economic activities and the lives of the residents of these cities,” Wike said.

He expressed confidence that the administration would fulfil its promises to residents through the timely delivery of critical infrastructure projects across the FCT.