The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Tinubu will win Rivers State with ease in the 2027 presidential election, dismissing opposition parties as incapable of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike urged voters in Akuku-Toru Local Government Area to support Tinubu and other APC candidates, insisting that the party had the strongest political structure ahead of the January 16, 2027 election.
The minister made the declaration on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Abonnema, Rivers State, where he also canvassed support for the APC governorship candidate, Kinsley Chinda, and candidates seeking election into the Senate, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly.
He cautioned residents against supporting a governorship candidate from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), who is a son of the area, arguing that the party lacked the political strength to win the election.
“I know one of your sons is running for governorship under NDC. We want our son to be governor, but we must be realistic. As it is today, he cannot be under that party. It is not possible,” Wike said.
The former Rivers governor urged voters to prioritise electoral realities over emotional attachment to candidates, noting that the area already had a governorship candidate and deputy governor within the APC political fold.
Wike also dismissed the chances of opposition parties defeating Tinubu in 2027, citing the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the difficulty of building a formidable opposition coalition.
“Talking about the crisis in the PDP, I have said it will be difficult for us to present a credible presidential candidate that can challenge this election. Therefore, there is no need to bother ourselves. Let us continue to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Defending Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, Wike described the decision as a demonstration of political courage and leadership.
He acknowledged that the policies had imposed hardship on Nigerians but maintained that the sacrifices were necessary to reposition the country.
According to him, previous administrations avoided taking such decisions because of their potential political consequences.
“Leadership is key. This country requires leadership with courage. Our problem has been leadership,” he said.
Wike cited former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as having questioned whether a conventional politician would take politically risky decisions while seeking a second term.
He expressed optimism that Tinubu’s policies would yield positive results when fully implemented and stabilised.
The minister also credited the Tinubu administration with increasing federal revenue allocations to states and local governments, saying local government chairmen now had more resources to execute projects.
He further claimed that Rivers State had secured at least 47 federal appointments under Tinubu’s administration, describing the figure as unprecedented compared with previous governments.
Wike contrasted the appointments with what he said Rivers received under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.
He also cited the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road as a major benefit of the Tinubu administration to Rivers State, noting that the project had ended residents’ reliance on water transportation for certain journeys.
The minister recalled infrastructural projects executed during his tenure as Rivers governor, including roads, bridges, facility rehabilitation and the recognition of traditional rulers in Abonnema and neighbouring communities.
He challenged opposition politicians seeking support in Akuku-Toru to explain their contributions to the development of the area.
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Wike also criticised opposition presidential hopefuls, particularly former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, dismissing social media popularity and public displays of humility as insufficient qualifications for Nigeria’s presidency.
“If it is to vote for who will be the president of social media, vote for Obi. But when you are talking about the President of Nigeria, no. This country requires leadership,” he said.
He urged residents to vote for APC candidates across all levels of government, expressing confidence that the party would produce the President, governor, senator, House of Representatives members and state lawmakers from the area.
Wike had earlier paid a traditional homage to the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, HRM King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel II.
The monarch expressed gratitude for past infrastructural interventions in the community and the prevailing peace and development in the region.
He said the community was hopeful that the forthcoming elections would be peaceful.
The Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya Bob-Fubara, also pledged to mobilise residents for Tinubu’s re-election and the victory of other APC candidates.
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