2027: Wike backs Tinubu, says Rainbow Coalition not threat to APC

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027, saying the Rainbow Coalition is intended to mobilise support for the President rather than undermine the All Progressives Congress.

Wike spoke on Monday after inspecting several ongoing road and infrastructure projects in Abuja, including the ISEX 2 project, Southern Parkway and the road connecting Nile University to Ring Road 3 in Lugbe.

The former Rivers State governor said his immediate political priority was to ensure Tinubu secured another term in office.

“My concern is that the President will be re-elected for the second term. That is my concern. And I made that known from the onset that I was going to support Mr President with all my might and strength,” he said.

His comments came amid differences between supporters of the Rainbow Coalition and members of the APC Progressive Governors Forum over the coalition’s role ahead of the 2027 elections.

While Wike has described the coalition as a cross-party platform supporting Tinubu, some APC governors have expressed opposition to political arrangements they believe could weaken the party or affect its candidates.

Wike said the coalition was open to APC members and individuals from other parties who shared the objective of supporting Tinubu’s re-election.

“We said all our party members, all those like-minds who are not APC members, to please ensure that they support Mr President,” he said.

The FCT minister also dismissed speculation that his activities were aimed at positioning himself for the 2031 presidential election.

According to him, future political plans would depend on circumstances and whether those involved were still alive at the time.

“You know, people take the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive,” Wike said.

He also questioned which political party he would be positioning himself in, recalling that he contested the 2022 PDP presidential primary and finished second.

“So, am I positioning myself… in which of the parties am I positioning myself to?” he asked.

Wike further said the question of who succeeds Tinubu in 2031 would also involve the President having an interest in his successor.

The minister said he would later disclose what he described as the “undertones” behind opposition to the Rainbow Coalition during a television appearance.

Turning to the Abuja projects, Wike said contractors had renewed their commitment to completing major infrastructure projects before the 2027 general elections.

He said his inspection was part of efforts to monitor projects promised to FCT residents and ensure contractors met their delivery timelines.

Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the projects, saying CGC had reaffirmed its commitment to completing and handing over the High Court project by December.

He also said work on the second bridge around the Gaduwa axis would accelerate after the rainy season.

At the Nile University–Ring Road 3 project, the minister said CCECC had committed to completing and handing over the road in the first week of January.

“I must say the management has committed itself that latest first week of January, they would have also handed over this project,” Wike said.

He added that the contractors’ renewed commitments had eased concerns he expressed during an earlier inspection over the pace of construction.

“Last time I came, I was worried, but now I think I’m a bit relieved,” he said.