By Opeyemi Adelakun
Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has explained why he could not have served as Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign, saying his membership status and concern about retaining political influence in his home state were major factors.
Wike spoke on Saturday after inspecting the ongoing construction of the Apo-Karshi and Kubwa-Bwari roads in Abuja, shortly after the All Progressives Congress announced its presidential campaign council for the 2027 election.
The APC appointed former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, as the Director-General of the campaign council, while Tinubu was named chairman.
Asked why he was not part of the campaign structure, Wike recalled the experiences of several politicians who previously headed presidential campaigns but subsequently suffered electoral setbacks in their home states.
He referred to former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who served as Director-General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign in 2015 and 2019, as well as former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong.
Wike argued that serving as campaign DG did not necessarily translate into electoral success for the politicians involved.
He said he was unwilling to assume a role that could distract him from his priority of securing political victories in the areas he considers strategically important.
“I don’t want to lose my state! I will be in my state. I have two states: FCT and Rivers. What is important is that you are able to deliver those two states,” Wike said.
He questioned the value of holding a senior campaign position if the person could not secure victory in his own political stronghold.
Wike cites APC membership status
The minister also pointed to his political affiliation as another reason he could not have led the APC campaign council.
Wike stressed that he remains outside the APC, making it inappropriate for him to occupy a formal leadership position within the party’s campaign structure.
He, however, maintained that his political support for Tinubu does not depend on membership of the APC.
According to him, politicians who backed Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election were able to support his candidacy without becoming members of the APC or joining its campaign council.
He said the same approach would apply to the 2027 election.
‘Rainbow Coalition’ remains active
Wike said his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid was being pursued through what he described as a “Rainbow Coalition” involving politicians from different parties who are working towards the President’s victory while retaining their individual party identities.
He said the coalition was already active in several states, including Kwara, Bayelsa, Rivers, Osun and Benue.
The minister argued that political influence should ultimately be assessed by electoral results rather than the titles politicians hold within campaign organisations.
Wike also expressed confidence in his political standing in Rivers State, saying he remained focused on delivering results rather than seeking positions within the APC campaign hierarchy.
FCT projects to be completed before year-end
Speaking on the road projects inspected during the visit, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work on the Apo-Karshi and Kubwa-Bwari routes.
He said both projects were expected to be completed before the end of the year.
The minister also disclosed that his earlier target of completing 10 major projects before the 2027 general election could be surpassed, with more than 10 projects now expected to be delivered within the period.
Wike said the development reflected the administration’s focus on completing major infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
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