Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to deliver Rivers State and the FCT for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, declaring that opposition figures Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Obi cannot be trusted....
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to deliver Rivers State and the FCT for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, declaring that opposition figures Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Obi cannot be trusted.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing youths of the Rivers Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, where he urged supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu’s re-election.
The former Rivers State governor argued that political leaders should be judged by their performance and the benefits they deliver to the people rather than campaign promises.
He cited infrastructure projects, including roads and bridges, as evidence of the Tinubu administration’s commitment to development.
“We are not playing politics for the sake of it without bringing benefits to our people. After all, we are not looking for those who are fine or finer. We are looking for those who will do something that will positively impact Nigerians and the Rivers people,” Wike said.
He insisted that Rivers State’s political decisions should be guided by the interests of its people and the benefits they could derive from the Federal Government.
“What is important is: where is Rivers State, where are we going, and how will the election benefit Rivers State? That’s what we’re talking about,” he said.
Wike also claimed that at least 49 Rivers indigenes currently occupy prominent positions in the Federal Government, presenting this as a reason for the state to sustain its political engagement with the Tinubu administration.
The minister criticised opposition politicians, describing some as political gamblers who make promises without delivering tangible results.
“You cannot vote for a political gambler. Every time, they come around making empty promises, but our people know better now,” he said.
He also criticised Atiku, the former vice-president, Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation, and Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, questioning their credibility and suitability for leadership.
Wike described the opposition figures as untrustworthy, while referring to Obi as a “fake man”. He maintained that the Rainbow Coalition was firmly committed to Tinubu’s re-election.
“We want to win this election with a difference,” he added.
The FCT minister urged supporters to strengthen grassroots structures and ensure greater youth participation in campaign activities. He specifically directed that young people should be adequately represented on committees organising presidential rallies.
“The committee for the presidential rally must put a reasonable number of our youths,” he said.
Earlier, the APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, promised an inclusive and youth-friendly administration, pledging to prioritise students’ bursaries, technical education and vocational training.
Chinda thanked members of the Rainbow Coalition Youths for supporting the political movement led by Wike, saying their contributions would not be forgotten.
“Our leader very sincerely appreciates that. And that is why he said, even if it is for five or 10 minutes. What we have come to do is to say thank you for what you have done. You are not forgotten. We appreciate you and will continue to appreciate you in different ways,” he said.
On students’ welfare, Chinda promised that local government council chairmen would be required to prioritise bursary payments.
“In fact, when you talked about bursary, he whispered to me, ‘You must take it very seriously.’
“So it will be compulsory for every local government council chairman to take the issues of bursary seriously. Compulsory, without compromise,” he said.
He also pledged to expand technical and vocational education to equip young people with practical skills and improve their employment prospects.
Chinda said the Rainbow Coalition would promote unity among political stakeholders in Rivers State and declared the group’s support for Tinubu’s re-election.
“The message we are sending out today is that the youths of Rivers State are unapologetically, unconditionally standing firm with Tinubu for President,” he said.
The Rivers State Coordinator of the Rainbow Coalition Youth and South-South Coordinator of City Boys, Chima Aguma, also assured Wike of grassroots mobilisation for Tinubu and other candidates backed by the coalition.
Similarly, the President of the National Union of Rivers State Students, Justice Uranta, pledged to mobilise students across the state’s 23 local government areas, tertiary institutions and the diaspora.
The meeting forms part of the coalition’s political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Wike and his allies seeking to consolidate support for Tinubu and candidates endorsed by the group.