By Our Reporter
Barrister Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu will win the 2027 presidential election in Rivers State, urging residents to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidates at all levels.
Wike made the declaration on Thursday during a town hall meeting in Abonnema, Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he said the political structure being mobilised across the state was firmly behind Tinubu and other APC candidates ahead of the January 16, 2027 election.
He called on the people to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, the APC governorship candidate, Kinsley Chinda, and other party candidates contesting for seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and Rivers State House of Assembly.
The minister dismissed the prospects of opposition parties challenging the APC in the forthcoming elections, citing the crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the difficulty of building a formidable opposition coalition.
He also cautioned residents against supporting a governorship aspirant from the area contesting on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that the party lacked the political strength to win the presidency or governorship.
“I know one of your sons is running for governorship under NDC. We want our son to be governor, but we must be realistic. As it is today, he cannot be under that party. It is not possible,” he said.
Wike maintained that political considerations should take precedence over emotional attachment to candidates, adding that supporting candidates on platforms without sufficient electoral strength could amount to wasting votes.
He particularly questioned the ability of the opposition to produce a credible presidential candidate capable of challenging Tinubu.
“Talking about the crisis in the PDP, I have said it will be difficult for us to present a credible presidential candidate that can challenge this election. Therefore, there is no need to bother ourselves. Let us continue to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Defending the President’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, Wike said the decisions required courage and demonstrated the importance of decisive leadership.
Although he acknowledged the hardship occasioned by the policies, the minister argued that the sacrifices were necessary to reposition the country’s economy and would yield positive results when fully implemented and stabilised.
“Leadership is key. This country requires leadership with courage. Our problem has been leadership,” he said.
Wike cited former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor and Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, as having questioned whether a conventional politician seeking re-election would have taken such politically risky decisions.
He also credited the Tinubu administration with improving federal allocations to states and local governments, saying the increased resources had enhanced the capacity of local government chairmen to execute development projects.
The former Rivers State governor further claimed that the state had secured no fewer than 47 federal appointments under the present administration, describing the figure as unprecedented compared with previous administrations.
He contrasted the appointments with what he said Rivers State received under former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo, Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari.
Wike also listed the completion of the Bodo-Bonny Road among the major benefits of the Tinubu administration to Rivers State, noting that the project had ended the dependence of residents on water transportation for journeys along the route.
He recalled infrastructural projects executed during his tenure as governor, including roads, bridges, rehabilitation of public facilities and the recognition of traditional rulers in Abonnema and neighbouring communities.
The minister challenged opposition politicians seeking support in Akuku-Toru to explain their contributions to the development of the area.
He also criticised opposition presidential hopefuls, particularly former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, arguing that social media popularity and public displays of humility were insufficient qualifications for leading the country.
“If it is to vote for who will be the president of social media, vote for Obi. But when you are talking about the President of Nigeria, no. This country requires leadership,” he said.
Wike urged residents to vote for APC candidates across all levels of government, expressing confidence that the party would produce the President, governor, senator, members of the House of Representatives and state lawmakers from the area.
Earlier, the minister paid a traditional homage to the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, HRM King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel II.
The monarch expressed appreciation for past infrastructural interventions in the community, as well as the prevailing peace, development and spirit of cooperation in the area.
He expressed optimism that the forthcoming elections would be peaceful, recalling that residents usually experienced anxiety during election periods.
The Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, Aboiya Bob-Fubara, also pledged to continue mobilising residents in support of Tinubu’s re-election and other APC candidates.
