Nigeria's Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has made a bold promise to resign from his ministerial position if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election in Rivers State and the FCT. This statement was made during a meeting with members of Apo mechanics and traders in Abuja. Wike emphasized that his continued stay in cabinet hinges entirely on delivering electoral victory for the president in these two critical regions.
Wike, who hails from Rivers State and served as its governor between 2015 and 2023, expressed his commitment to practical performance and accountability. He set a firm countdown to the 2027 polls, stating that by January 17, 2027, he will announce his resignation as FCT minister if the president loses in Rivers and the FCT. The minister stressed that losing either territory would signify a failure of his performance and leadership.
The FCT minister rallied the Apo mechanics and traders into his cross-party Rainbow Coalition, outlining his electoral roadmap for the capital. He disclosed that the coalition is being consolidated across the territory, with a clear direction: supporting President Bola Tinubu for the presidency and Philip Aduda for the Senate. Wike called on members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), other political parties, and residents of the FCT to unite behind the shared slate.
Wike directed the leadership of the Apo mechanics and traders to mobilize grassroots support, urging them to bring out all residents, family members, and non-indigenes connected to the Apo business ecosystem to vote. He assured the mechanics and traders that they would be relocated by the end of the year. In response, leaders of the Apo trading community lauded the minister for addressing long-standing infrastructure deficits and pledged their full backing for Mr. Tinubu's re-election campaign.
The chairman of the Apo Trade Association, Chimezie Efe, highlighted the economic impact of recent infrastructure developments, specifically referencing the newly dualized Apo road. He noted that the road has been instrumental in improving business activities and promised that the entire members of the Apo Traders Association have agreed to vote for the APC. Chinedu Nweke, coordinating chairman of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Unity Forum, commended Wike for breaking a cycle of unfulfilled promises by past administrations.
Nweke praised Wike for being a grassroots politician who has visited and interacted with the Apo community several times. He noted that the minister's efforts, including the road dualization and progress on their long-pending relocation to Wasa, have been a dream come true for the community. The Apo Mechanics and Traders Unity Forum pledged to follow Wike's directives, demonstrating their support for his leadership and the president's re-election campaign.
Wike's bold statement has significant implications for the 2027 presidential election, particularly in Rivers State and the FCT. His commitment to resigning if Tinubu loses in these regions underscores the importance of these territories in the election. The minister's efforts to mobilize support for the president and his party, as well as his focus on infrastructure development and community engagement, are likely to shape the electoral landscape in the coming years.
Key points
- Wike pledges to resign if Tinubu loses 2027 election in FCT and Rivers State.
- The FCT minister is mobilizing support for Tinubu's re-election campaign through his Rainbow Coalition.
- Wike's efforts focus on infrastructure development and community engagement in the FCT.
