Wike to Rivers voters: Support Tinubu in 2027, don’t hand Nigeria to political gamblers

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged Rivers State residents to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, arguing that continuing the administration’s economic reforms is necessary for Nigeria’s recovery.

Wike made the appeal at a Rainbow Coalition town hall meeting in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he also criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi.

He said the economic reforms introduced by Tinubu were necessary to address the country’s economic challenges, insisting that abandoning the current policy direction could undermine efforts to restore stability.

“Only the continuation of the economic reforms initiated by the Tinubu government can bring this country back from the economic comatose it was in before this present administration took over,” Wike said.

Recalling his political position ahead of the 2023 elections, the minister said he had urged Rivers residents to support Tinubu despite concerns about the difficult economic decisions expected under his administration.

He warned voters against supporting politicians he described as political gamblers, singling out Atiku, who has contested the presidency several times.

Wike alleged that another Atiku presidency would prioritise recovering campaign expenses rather than protecting the interests of Nigerians.

He also dismissed Obi’s public engagements, including treadmill exercises and visits to internally displaced persons’ camps, describing them as superficial political activities.

The minister urged voters to assess political leaders based on their records and consistency, arguing that Tinubu had demonstrated a clear direction for the country.

Wike also challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to account for the management of state resources during his tenure from 2007 to 2015, amid his reported ambition to contest for vice-president under the African Democratic Congress.

He said voters should demand accountability from political leaders seeking public office rather than relying solely on campaign promises.

Explaining the Rainbow Coalition’s political strategy, Wike called for support for candidates aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), including those contesting National Assembly seats, to facilitate legislative backing for Tinubu’s policies.

He urged party leaders and grassroots mobilisers to prepare for the January 16, 2027 election, calling for a decisive victory for the president and allied candidates.

Earlier, during a visit to the palace of the Oba of Ogba Land, Nwachukwu Obuoha-Obi III, in Omoku, Wike appealed to traditional rulers to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He acknowledged that traditional rulers were expected to remain non-partisan but argued that political decisions directly affected the peace, welfare and development of their communities.

The monarch expressed support for Tinubu’s leadership, while Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Chairman, Chukwu Shedrack, praised Wike’s development projects in the area, including road construction, hospital upgrades and human capital investments.

Shedrack also pledged that the local government would deliver its votes to the APC across elective positions in the 2027 elections.

The meeting forms part of Wike’s political mobilisation efforts in Rivers State ahead of the next general election.