Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that Rivers State will deliver votes for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election, insisting that his political camp has already laid the groundwork for the President’s re-election.
Wike made the remarks on Thursday during his monthly media chat in Port Harcourt, where he defended the activities of the Rainbow Coalition and dismissed suggestions that the political alliance was confusing.
He said the coalition had taken its mobilisation campaign to the grassroots, adding that efforts to secure support for Tinubu began about two years ago.
“Leadership is key. We have gone to the grassroots and started this journey two years ago to vote for Tinubu,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor explained that he regularly visited local government areas to communicate the coalition’s political agenda and mobilise support for the President’s second-term ambition.
“The Rainbow Coalition is never confusing. I always move round the local governments to tell them what we are doing,” he added.
Wike also criticised former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi over comments concerning his wife, accusing the former governor of failing to fulfil a contract awarded to her during his administration for the training of women in the state.
He questioned why Amaechi was raising concerns about his wife’s involvement in political activities when, according to him, the contract had not been executed.
The FCT minister further challenged Amaechi to account for his eight years as governor, arguing that previous administrations should be held responsible for their records in office.
On his political disagreement with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma over the Rainbow Coalition and former Imo Governor Rochas Okorocha, Wike described Okorocha as his friend and maintained that nobody could dictate his political associations.
“Rochas Okorocha is my friend. Why is the Imo State governor crying about the Rainbow Coalition? You cannot choose my friend for me,” he said.
He challenged Uzodimma to strengthen his political structure and win the support of his political associates rather than complain about his relationship with Okorocha.
Wike also dismissed the political relevance of former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recalling that Oyinlola had opposed his emergence as the party’s Deputy National Chairman.
He expressed doubt about the PDP’s prospects in the 2027 presidential election, noting that he had openly supported Tinubu in the 2023 election and remained committed to that position.
Addressing the political future of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara after the 2023 political crisis and the eventual end of his tenure, Wike said leaving office would not mark the end of the governor’s political career.
He described Fubara as a young politician whose future should not be written off.
“Leaving office does not mean that life has ended. Fubara is a young man, and you cannot say that his political life is gone,” he said.
The minister also expressed concern over the lingering University of Abuja land dispute and the Academic Staff Union of Universities’ (ASUU) threat to embark on industrial action.
He questioned the union’s position, noting that it had already approached the court over the dispute but was still threatening a strike.
The remarks come amid growing political realignments and preparations by parties and political coalitions ahead of the 2027 general elections.