By Lizzy Chirkpi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged governors and other political leaders supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election to demonstrate their commitment by delivering their respective states in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike warned that political leaders should not claim credit for Tinubu’s victory if they failed to secure electoral support in their states.
He spoke on Wednesday at the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
“I want to say, if you don’t deliver your states and the President wins, don’t say we have won. It’s not a question of whether I am chairman, secretary or member of this. What is important is for the President to win,” Wike said.
Emphasising the importance of winning votes at the state level, the minister recalled a conversation with the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, during which he stressed the need for Tinubu to secure victory in Lagos State.
“I told the Chief of Staff to the President, if the President doesn’t win in Lagos, don’t say we have won,” he added.
Wike, who has been assigned to coordinate Tinubu’s campaign in Rivers State and the FCT, pledged to mobilise massive support for the President in both territories.
“By the grace of God, Rivers and FCT will vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he declared.
The FCT minister also challenged political leaders to demonstrate the impact of Tinubu’s administration, particularly in Abuja, where he argued that ongoing projects should translate into electoral support.
“I challenge any area council that can say they don’t see the presence of Mr President,” Wike said.
He defended Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that previous administrations had identified Nigeria’s problems but failed to take the necessary steps to address them.
Wike also emphasised the importance of constructive opposition in a democracy, saying political parties should identify national challenges and propose solutions rather than criticise the government simply because they are not in power.
His remarks come as the APC intensifies efforts to build a broad coalition of political figures from different parties ahead of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Although Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he has consistently declared support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party and Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) have also been assigned roles in the campaign structure.
Under the expanded arrangement, Tinubu chairs the campaign council, while Vice-President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, serve as vice-chairmen. Former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari is the Director-General, while Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma serves as secretary.
Wike’s challenge underscores the pressure on state campaign coordinators and political leaders to turn their positions into effective grassroots mobilisation and electoral gains for the President.
The APC is preparing for the January 16, 2027, presidential election, with its campaign expected to highlight Tinubu’s economic reforms, infrastructure projects and administration’s record in office.