2027: Deliver your state for Tinubu or don’t celebrate — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against celebrating President Bola Tinubu’s re-election victory in 2027 if they fail to deliver their respective states for the ruling party.

Wike issued the warning on Wednesday during the inauguration of Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, insisting that campaign officials must be judged by their electoral contributions rather than the positions they occupy.

“If you don’t deliver your state and the president wins, don’t say we have won. So it is not a question of I am chairman of this, I’m secretary of this, I’m a member of this,” he declared.

The former Rivers State governor specifically cited Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, saying he should not celebrate the President’s victory if the APC failed to win Lagos State.

Wike, who was appointed campaign coordinator for Rivers State and the FCT, pledged to secure substantial votes for Tinubu in both areas.

“And let me say, I pledged by the grace of God, Rivers and FCT will vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is my joy. I have only two assignments, Rivers and FCT,” he said.

The minister also defended Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that the President had demonstrated the courage to address longstanding national challenges.

He cited the proposed establishment of state police as an example, saying previous administrations had acknowledged its importance in tackling insecurity but failed to take decisive action.

Wike expressed confidence that the initiative could receive approval within the coming months.

He further maintained that belonging to an opposition party should not prevent politicians from acknowledging the achievements of a government led by another party.

The minister, who described himself as a leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisted that his support for Tinubu was based on his assessment of the President’s leadership rather than party affiliation.