Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has challenged senior All Progressives Congress officials to demonstrate their political influence by securing electoral victories in their respective states during President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
Wike maintained that occupying influential positions within the ruling party’s campaign structure would be meaningless without corresponding electoral results.
Speaking on Wednesday at the inauguration of Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, the former Rivers State governor insisted that campaign officials should be assessed according to their contributions at the polls.
He warned that party leaders who failed to secure victories in their states should not claim credit if Tinubu eventually won the presidential election.
“If you don’t deliver your state and the president wins, don’t say we have won,” Wike declared.
The minister argued that appointments as campaign chairmen, secretaries or committee members should not automatically translate into recognition for electoral success.
He specifically mentioned the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, using Lagos State as an example of the responsibility expected of influential political figures.
According to Wike, Gbajabiamila should not celebrate a nationwide victory for Tinubu if the APC failed to secure Lagos.
The remarks formed part of his broader call for accountability among politicians entrusted with mobilising support for the President’s second-term ambition.
Wike, who has been assigned responsibility for coordinating the campaign in Rivers State and the FCT, expressed confidence in his ability to attract substantial support in both areas.
“I have only two assignments, Rivers and FCT,” he said, pledging to work towards delivering significant votes for Tinubu.
Beyond electoral mobilisation, the minister used the occasion to defend the President’s approach to governance.
He argued that Tinubu had demonstrated a willingness to confront difficult national issues that previous administrations had acknowledged without implementing lasting solutions.
Wike cited discussions surrounding the establishment of state police, describing the proposal as an important potential response to Nigeria’s security challenges.
He expressed optimism that the initiative could receive the necessary approval within the coming months.
The minister also addressed questions surrounding his continued support for Tinubu despite his membership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Describing himself as a PDP leader, Wike maintained that political affiliation should not prevent public officials from recognising policies or leadership decisions they consider beneficial.
He explained that his support for the President was based on his personal assessment of Tinubu’s performance rather than membership of the APC.
His comments underscored the expectations being placed on campaign officials as political activities ahead of the 2027 general election gather momentum.
They also highlighted Wike’s unusual position as an opposition party figure holding a senior appointment in the APC-led federal administration while openly supporting the President’s re-election bid.
Ezeana Emmanuel
