Nigeria's Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has expressed his support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027, stating that he does not see any alternative to the President's leadership. In an interview on TVC's Journalists' Hangout, Wike said that no opposition politician had presented a better alternative to the policies and decisions of the Tinubu administration. He emphasized that his support for Tinubu was based on his assessment of the President's leadership and willingness to take difficult decisions.
Wike cited the administration's position on state police and devolution of power as examples of bold policy choices. He said that he could sell these policies to the Nigerian people, highlighting the President's willingness to take tough decisions. The FCT Minister also dismissed the argument that opposition rallies or crowd sizes were evidence of electoral strength, saying that political gatherings alone could not determine the outcome of an election.
According to Wike, politicians seeking to challenge Tinubu in 2027 should present clear alternatives to the administration's policies instead of relying on public rallies and political promises. He also challenged opposition proposals to restore petrol subsidy, asking proponents to explain the legal and economic implications of such a policy. Wike argued that Nigerians deserved to know the full consequences of any promise to return subsidy.
The minister defended the emerging Rainbow Coalition, saying its primary objective was to mobilise support for Tinubu's re-election and not to prevent members of other political parties from contesting legislative or governorship elections. He maintained that supporting Tinubu for president did not automatically require politicians to abandon their other political interests. Wike cited the 2023 elections as evidence that politicians could support a presidential candidate while backing different candidates in state and National Assembly elections.
Wike dismissed claims that President Tinubu had agreed to concede nine states to him as part of the coalition ahead of the 2027 elections. He challenged those circulating the claim to identify the alleged states, insisting that there was no such agreement between him and the President. The FCT Minister said that the allegation was inconsistent with his stated support for Tinubu, arguing that his political activities were aimed at strengthening the President's re-election bid.
Wike accused some governors opposing the coalition of being more concerned about their political survival than Tinubu's re-election. He argued that politicians facing internal problems in their states should resolve them instead of portraying the Rainbow Coalition as a threat to the President. According to him, some politicians displaced from party structures were seeking alternative platforms from which to contest elections while continuing to support Tinubu.
Wike insisted that his political alignment was not driven by personal ambition, saying his immediate focus was to ensure Tinubu's return to office in 2027. He also dismissed questions about his political base, arguing that his influence should not be measured solely by formal party membership. Wike claimed that serving and former National Assembly members, state lawmakers, and local government political actors were aligned with him, describing them as part of a political network capable of mobilising support.
Key points
- Wike expresses support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027.
- The FCT Minister cites the administration's policies on state police and devolution of power as examples of bold leadership.
- Wike dismisses claims of a secret agreement between him and Tinubu to concede nine states ahead of the 2027 elections.
