2027: ‘Forget Rivers If It’s Not Tinubu’ — Wike Declares State Off-Limits to Opposition
ABUJA – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the only presidential candidate capable of winning Rivers State in the 2027 general election, urging anyone making electoral calculations to rule out the state unless they are 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), All Progressives Congress (APC), Labour Party (LP), Action Alliance (AA) and other political groups had united in support of Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
“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 deliberately formed to transcend party affiliations by supporting candidates considered best positioned to protect and advance the interests of Rivers State.
According to him, candidates seeking election into the National Assembly and the Rivers State House of Assembly would receive the coalition’s backing based on their acceptability to the people rather than the political parties on whose platforms they are contesting.
“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.
Wike further disclosed that the alliance continues to gain support across Rivers State, describing its expansion as rapid and inclusive.
“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.
The FCT Minister dismissed suggestions that the coalition was designed to strengthen any particular political party, insisting that its primary objective is to secure more federal projects, development initiatives, and economic opportunities for 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 spanning over two decades—from serving as a local government chairman to governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory—has given him a deep understanding of Nigeria’s political landscape.
“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 former governor also revisited the 2019 Rivers State governorship election, alleging that significant federal force, including military personnel, was deployed against him during the poll 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 stated.
He maintained that his enduring political influence in Rivers State is rooted in the trust and confidence the people have placed in his leadership.
“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 concluded.
