I Want God To Use Me To Help People, Says Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his political alignment with President Bola Tinubu remains unshakable, as he mobilised Rivers State stakeholders to consolidate support for the President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the declaration on Friday while addressing stakeholders of the Akpor Kingdom in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he called for a stronger and broader political structure to deliver electoral support for Tinubu.

READ ALSO: 2027: I Will Resign As FCT Minister If Tinubu Loses FCT, Rivers — Wike

The former Rivers State governor said his renewed engagement with the state was aimed at building a political movement capable of advancing the interests of the people, rather than pursuing personal benefits.

“My interest in Rivers State is for God to use me as a vessel to help our people. I am back here not for what I will get, but for what I will be to raise my people,” Wike said.

He maintained that political differences should not prevent stakeholders from working together, insisting that the overriding consideration should be the collective interest of the people.

“There is no permanent enemy in politics. What we have is permanent collective interest,” he said.

Wike, who has repeatedly expressed support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid, also reiterated his pledge to resign as FCT minister if the President fails to win Rivers State and the FCT at the election.

He urged political leaders in Rivers to broaden their support base, arguing that numerical strength would remain critical in determining electoral outcomes.

“The more you are in number, the happier you become,” he said, while urging stakeholders to disregard criticism of his decision to maintain an open-door approach to former political opponents.

The FCT minister also called for an all-inclusive mobilisation structure in Obio-Akpor, directing politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders and community stakeholders to participate in the campaign.

“Obio-Akpor as a whole, whether you are a politician, whether you are a traditional ruler, whether you are a pastor, or whether you are a native doctor, I need everybody now,” Wike said.

“Because all of them will vote. For the purpose of voting and elections, we must bring everyone together.”

Wike recalled his tenure as chairman of Obio-Akpor, saying his re-election was influenced by the impact of his administration and his relationship with residents.

“I was not elected two times because I was just chairman. I was elected because people felt the impact of governance and because I related with the people,” he said.

He identified Wards 15, 16 and 17 as critical areas for the mobilisation effort, noting that they collectively have more than 200 polling units.

“We have over 200 units across three very important wards—Ward 15, Ward 16, and Ward 17. These three wards can defeat ten wards in Obio-Akpor. They are three wards with a difference, and you must utilise them to make that difference,” he said.

Wike subsequently directed local leaders to deploy unit coordinators and door-to-door canvassers across the polling units, with instructions to mobilise families, neighbours and other residents.

He further pledged to continue monitoring political developments in the state, describing himself as the state’s “Chief Critic” who would ensure elected council officials remained accountable to the electorate.

Wike was accompanied by the Rivers State APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, and other political leaders.