Wike to opposition: Cancel Rivers from your calculations in 2027, only Tinubu can win there

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says President Bola Tinubu is the only presidential candidate who can win Rivers State in the 2027 general election.

Wike, therefore, urged political observers to “cancel Rivers” from their electoral calculations if they are not counting votes for Tinubu in the forthcoming election.

The minister said this during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

He said a broad political coalition comprising members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), the Action Alliance (AA), and other political groups had resolved to work together in the interest of Rivers State while backing Tinubu’s re-election.

“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 declared.

The former Rivers State governor explained that the coalition was deliberately designed to move beyond party affiliations by supporting candidates considered most capable of serving the state’s interests.

Wike said: “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.

“All we are doing is for one purpose to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is all-inclusive and it is spreading like wildfire.”

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Wike dismissed claims that the arrangement was intended to strengthen any particular political party, insisting that the overriding objective was to attract greater development to 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,” the minister stated.

Wike, who traced his political career from local government chairman to governor, minister and other leadership positions, said his experience had taught him that successful politics requires strategic thinking and an understanding of the people’s expectations.

“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.

Recalling the 2019 governorship election in Rivers State, Wike alleged that unprecedented federal force was deployed against him but that he emerged victorious despite the pressure.

“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,” the minister said.

He maintained that his political strength derives from the confidence the people of Rivers State have 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,” Wike added.