Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State residents are prepared to vote for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, citing the President’s appointments and federal interventions in the state….
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State residents are prepared to vote for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, citing the President’s appointments and federal interventions in the state.
Wike made the declaration on Saturday during the APC presidential campaign rally at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Addressing Tinubu and other party leaders, the former Rivers governor said the massive turnout at the rally demonstrated the level of support the President enjoys in the state.
He dismissed suggestions that the crowd was mobilised from outside Rivers, insisting that the gathering comprised residents of the state.
“Not 16,000, not 10,000, but 40,000 citywide capacity. It is good for us to know. This is Rivers State rally. We did not mobilise anybody from any other state,” Wike said.
He recalled that during Tinubu’s 2022 presidential campaign, the President visited the Yakubu Gowon Stadium in Elekahia, Port Harcourt, but was now holding his campaign at the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium.
According to him, the turnout was evidence that Rivers residents had already made their political choice ahead of the election.
“You can see with your eyes that there is nothing to say other than Rivers State has already concluded, has already agreed. On the 16th of January, they will vote for you,” he told the President.
Wike also took a swipe at the vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of suggesting that he was sufficiently popular and did not need to campaign in Rivers State.
The FCT Minister challenged the opposition politician to visit the state and account for his political record rather than rely on claims of popularity.
“Let it be on record that the vice-presidential candidate of ADC, Rotimi Amaechi, has told the world that he does not need to campaign in Rivers State,” Wike said.
He added: “We are not worried that we are campaigning. All we are saying to the vice-presidential candidate, please come and give account on how you fumigated Rivers State.”
Wike also recalled the politician’s previous definition of political brotherhood, which he said was based on identifying with people during difficult times rather than blood relationships.
Quoting the definition, he said: “Your brother is a man who identifies with you when you have a problem. Brotherhood in politics has nothing to do with blood relationship.”
Applying that argument to Rivers State’s relationship with Tinubu, Wike asked the audience to identify who had demonstrated such political solidarity with the state.
He declared that Tinubu was the state’s political brother, citing federal appointments and projects as evidence of the President’s commitment.
“So our brother is Bola Ahmed Tinubu, because he identifies with the people of Rivers State,” he said.
Wike claimed that Rivers had received no fewer than 47 political appointments from the Tinubu administration, adding that federal interventions in the Niger Delta had also demonstrated the President’s commitment to the state.
“In fact, since the inception of democracy in 1999, Rivers people have never had it this way. We have not less than 47 political appointments from Mr President,” he said.
The minister also challenged the ADC politician to explain the status of the proposed Karadiuwa Specialist Hospital, alleging that $39 million had been paid for the project.
“Come and tell us where Karadiuwa Specialist Hospital is, where we paid 39 million US dollars. Come and show us where the foundation is,” he said
Wike further predicted that the opposition politician might withdraw from the 2027 presidential race, recalling his involvement in previous presidential campaigns in 2015 and 2019.
He alleged that the politician failed to secure up to 15 per cent of the votes in those elections.
“By 11 a.m., you will hear somebody will announce, ‘Oh, we are not participating in the election.’ That was how the same person did in 2015 and 2019,” Wike said.
He maintained that the APC was confident of its prospects in Rivers State and urged the opposition to account for its record to the electorate.
The rally is part of the APC’s mobilisation activities ahead of the 2027 general election, with Rivers State emerging as an important political battleground.
