2027: ‘Rivers People Have Agreed To Vote Tinubu’ – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State residents have resolved to vote for President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election.

Wike, who is the coordinator of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council in Rivers State, made the declaration on Saturday while welcoming the president and members of his delegation to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt for the presidential campaign rally.

He attributed the state’s support for Tinubu’s re-election bid to federal government projects and political appointments secured by Rivers indigenes under the administration.

The minister described the large turnout at the stadium, which he said has a seating capacity of more than 40,000, as evidence of the state’s commitment to Tinubu’s second-term ambition.

“Your Excellency, this is Rivers State’s rally. We did not mobilise anybody from any other state. You can see with your eyes that the people of Rivers State have already concluded and agreed that on January 16, they will vote for you,” he said.

Wike described Tinubu as a political ally of Rivers people, citing the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road, the establishment of the Federal University of Environment in Ogoniland and at least 47 political appointments allegedly given to indigenes of the state.

“Since the inception of democracy in 1999, Rivers people have never had it this way. We have no less than 47 political appointments from Mr President. So, who is our brother? Our brother is Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has identified with the people of Rivers State,” he said.

Wike Challenges Amaechi Over Projects

The FCT minister also challenged former Rivers State governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, to return to the state and account for projects and financial transactions allegedly undertaken during his tenure.

Wike questioned the outcome of an alleged fumigation exercise carried out under Amaechi’s administration, claiming that mosquitoes remained a problem in the state.

“All we are saying to the vice-presidential candidate is, please, come and give an account of how you fumigated Rivers State. You fumigated Rivers State so that there would be no mosquitoes. Have mosquitoes gone? Are mosquitoes not biting you?” he asked.

He also challenged Amaechi to explain the status of the Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital project, alleging that $39 million was paid for its construction.

“Come and tell us where Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital project is, where we paid $39 million. If you convert it today, it is not less than N53 billion. Come and show us where the foundation is,” Wike said.

The minister further criticised Amaechi’s performance as Director-General of the presidential campaign of former President Muhammadu Buhari, claiming that the All Progressives Congress (APC) failed to secure up to 15 per cent of the votes cast in Rivers State during the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.