Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, urging Rivers State voters to support the president and candidates backed by the Rainbow Coalition.
Wike said Tinubu deserved another term because he had demonstrated the courage to implement difficult economic reforms, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, which previous administrations had avoided.
The minister spoke on Monday at a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ town hall meeting in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he acknowledged the economic hardship Nigerians were experiencing but insisted that the reforms would eventually yield positive results.
“We know what Nigerians are going through, but we are sure that things will get better,” he said.
Wike argued that leadership required the courage to make difficult decisions in the long-term interest of the country, even when such decisions attracted public criticism.
He said the removal of the petrol subsidy had increased revenue available to state and local governments, giving them greater capacity to meet their financial obligations and improve service delivery.
According to him, the subsidy regime had placed significant pressure on government finances, making it difficult to meet obligations to workers, pensioners and public institutions.
The former Rivers State governor acknowledged that the reforms had not resolved all the country’s economic challenges but urged Nigerians to exercise patience as the government pursued economic stability.
Drawing from his experience as governor, Wike recalled that his administration faced criticism while executing major flyover projects in Rivers State, but maintained that the projects eventually benefited residents.
He urged voters to assess the records of political leaders rather than be swayed by propaganda or promises from opposition figures.
“Don’t carry your destiny to political gamblers,” he told the gathering.
Wike also urged residents to support the Rainbow Coalition, an alliance involving members of different political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Identifying himself as a PDP national leader, he said members of the coalition had agreed to work together and support candidates running on the APC platform in the forthcoming elections.
He called on the people of Rivers State to back Tinubu’s re-election bid and the coalition’s preferred candidates for governorship, legislative and other elective positions.
Wike said the alliance was designed to promote political stability, unity and development in Rivers State, arguing that cooperation among political actors would strengthen the relationship between the state and the Federal Government.
“We don’t want Rivers of blood. We don’t want rivers of shooting. The two main political parties in this state are APC and PDP. They have joined together with other political parties to say, ‘Let there be peace in Rivers State, let there be development and unity’,” he said.
He added that the town hall meeting was organised to bring together political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths and other stakeholders to discuss the future of Rivers State and Nigeria.
Describing Eleme as economically strategic to the country, Wike urged residents to make informed political choices and support leaders who could advance the area’s interests.
The meeting was attended by political leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youths and representatives of parties participating in the Rainbow Coalition.
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