Nigeria's Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced plans to lead the re-election campaign of President Bola Tinubu in Abuja and Rivers State. This announcement was made after inspecting the ongoing Kuje-Gwagwalada road dualisation project in Abuja on Friday. According to Mr. Wike, the campaign machinery will be inaugurated in both the nation's capital and his home state of Rivers. He expressed confidence that supporters of the president are prepared to initiate an aggressive campaign.
Mr. Wike, a member of the opposition PDP serving in the APC-led federal administration, has been at odds with APC governors over the Rainbow Coalition. The coalition, floated by the FCT Minister, aims to mobilize support for President Tinubu's re-election bid. However, governors under the Progressive Governors' Forum (PGF) opposed the coalition, describing it as a political arrangement that could undermine the APC and its candidates.
The governors, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, claimed that Mr. Wike is deploying the coalition to support politicians who lost the ruling party's primaries and are now contesting elections on the platform of the PDP. In response, Mr. Wike denied the claim, saying the APC governors were opposing the coalition because they fear losing their elections. He also criticized their performance in their respective states.
Mr. Wike specifically listed Governors AbdulRahman AbdulRazak of Kwara State, Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, and Uzodimma as the main opponents of the coalition. He stated that they are opposing the coalition for "selfish reasons." Despite the disagreement, Mr. Wike remains confident that the administration's infrastructure record will secure victory in the FCT.
Addressing critics and political opponents, Mr. Wike argued that visible development projects would be the main driver of electoral support in the FCT. He dismissed allegations of electoral malpractice in advance, stating that people are happy with the administration's performance. According to him, this will translate directly into actual votes.
Mr. Wike expressed confidence that the administration's infrastructure record would secure victory across the board in the FCT, including support for Philip Aduda, the APC candidate for the territory, as well as for the two House of Representatives seats. He commended the contractor and site engineers for the progress recorded so far on the Kuje-Gwagwalada road dualisation project.
The minister assured stakeholders that adequate funding would be disbursed to ensure the project's completion by December. He emphasized that delivering functional infrastructure remains the cornerstone of good governance and public satisfaction. Mr. Wike also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for providing sustained support for capital projects in the territory.
Key points
- - Nyesom Wike to lead President Bola Tinubu's re-election campaign in FCT and Rivers State. - Wike's move opposed by APC governors over concerns it could undermine the party. - Development projects cited as main driver of electoral support in the FCT.
