Warns against handing power to ‘political kalo kalo players’
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged Nigerians, particularly the people of Rivers State, to re-elect President Bola Tinubu in 2027, arguing that sustaining his administration’s economic reforms is critical to achieving full economic recovery.
Wike said reversing the policies initiated by the Tinubu administration could undermine the gains being made, insisting that the difficult economic decisions taken since the President assumed office were necessary to rescue the country from near-collapse.
The minister spoke at a Rainbow Coalition town hall meeting in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area (ONELGA) of Rivers State, where he addressed traditional rulers, political stakeholders and supporters as part of efforts to mobilise grassroots support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
Recalling his political campaign ahead of the 2023 general election, Wike said he had urged the people to support Tinubu despite concerns about the consequences of his proposed reforms.
“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,” he said.
“When in 2023 I came here, I pleaded with you and said, ‘Listen, no matter how difficult it may sound, it is better for us to go the way I was going.’ So many people were afraid, but to the glory of God, we can see that we never made a mistake.”
Wike framed the 2027 election as a choice between sustaining the current administration’s economic direction and returning power to politicians he accused of pursuing personal ambitions rather than offering credible development plans.
He cautioned Nigerians against entrusting their future to what he described as political gamblers, singling out former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his repeated presidential ambitions.
“Do not put your destiny into the hands of political gamblers or kalo-kalo players. Look at a man who has run for President for years, Atiku Abubakar,” he said.
He alleged that electing politicians who had repeatedly contested for the presidency could make the recovery of their campaign expenses a priority over national development.
The minister also criticised former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, dismissing some of his public engagements as superficial political activities designed to win public sympathy.
He urged voters to assess political leaders by their consistency, policy direction and records in office, declaring that Tinubu had demonstrated a clearer direction for the country.
Wike also challenged former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi to account for his administration’s management of state resources between 2007 and 2015 before seeking another political office.
He argued that Nigerians should demand explanations from former officeholders about their stewardship rather than being swayed by campaign promises.
“If I come now to campaign, you must ask me: the one we gave you before, how far?” he said.
Explaining the strategy behind the Rainbow Coalition, Wike urged voters to support candidates aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), including those seeking seats in the National Assembly, to ensure legislative backing for Tinubu’s reform agenda.
He called on party leaders and grassroots mobilisers to intensify preparations for the 2027 elections, urging them to secure a decisive victory for the President and APC-aligned candidates.
“I want total mobilisation on the 16th of January 2027. Everybody mobilised, make sure we vote and win decisively to protect our collective future,” he said.
At the palace of the Oba of Ogba Land, Nwachukwu Obuoha-Obi III, in Omoku, Wike also appealed to traditional rulers to support Tinubu’s re-election bid, arguing that political decisions have direct implications for peace, economic welfare and infrastructure development in their communities.
Although traditional rulers are expected to remain non-partisan, the minister said their influence could help enlighten their communities on the choices facing the country ahead of the 2027 elections.
Responding, Obuoha-Obi expressed support for Tinubu’s leadership, saying backing what he considered beneficial to the country was important for the future of the people.
“It is only a wicked man whose heart has no God in it, that sees his brother going for something good and he begins to pull the building on his bed. Such one should not prosper,” the monarch said.
He added that supporting Tinubu was important for securing the political voice, economic development and sustainable progress of Ogbaland.
Earlier, ONELGA Chairman, Chukwu Shedrack, commended Wike for development projects executed in the local government during his tenure as Rivers State governor, including road construction, hospital upgrades and human capital development initiatives.
Shedrack pledged the council’s support for Tinubu and APC candidates across elective positions in the 2027 general elections, saying mobilisation had begun at the ward and polling-unit levels.
“Your Excellency, we are fully mobilised, ward by ward, unit by unit. Come the 2027 general elections, ONELGA people will deliver 100 per cent, from President to National Assembly and House of Assembly, no vote will drop,” he said.