ABUJA — Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has staked his position in President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet on the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, saying he should leave office if he fails to help deliver both the FCT and Rivers State for the President.
Wike made the declaration on Wednesday during an engagement with leaders and members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association in Abuja.
The former Rivers State governor said he believes his political influence should be measured by his ability to secure electoral support for Tinubu in the territory where he currently serves as minister and in Rivers, his home state.
“If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,” Wike said.
He went further, saying that if Tinubu fails to win the FCT and Rivers State, he would accept the consequences.
“If I don’t deliver this, remove me here. I will accept it,” Wike said, according to reports of his remarks.
Wike Puts Ministerial Job On The Line
Wike said he would not wait to be removed if the election result goes against the political objective he has set for himself.
He pledged to announce his resignation following the presidential election if Tinubu fails to win the two territories.
“If I lose FCT, I’m not supposed to be FCT Minister,” he said, adding that he would resign if the President loses Rivers and the FCT.
For Wike, the FCT represents his current political responsibility, while Rivers remains the state where he served as governor from 2015 to 2023 and retains significant political involvement.
He argued that supporting a presidential candidate publicly should be accompanied by an ability to mobilise votes in areas where a political leader claims influence.
Rainbow Coalition Takes Shape
Wike also used the gathering to speak about what he described as a “Rainbow Coalition” in the FCT — a political arrangement bringing together supporters from different parties behind selected candidates.
Despite remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Wike has openly backed Tinubu and reaffirmed that position at the meeting.
He identified Tinubu as the coalition’s presidential choice and also expressed support for former FCT Senator Philip Aduda for the Senate, alongside preferred candidates for the House of Representatives.
“In the FCT, we are running a unified coalition across parties to deliver results,” Wike said.
Rivers, Abuja Become Wike’s Political Test
The declaration effectively places Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory at the centre of Wike’s personal political target ahead of the presidential election.
Rivers carries particular significance because Wike governed the state for eight years and remains deeply involved in its politics.
Abuja, meanwhile, presents a different test. As FCT Minister, Wike has overseen infrastructure projects and administrative policies across the territory, and he argued that electoral support would be one measure of whether residents approve of his performance.
“If I cannot deliver FCT as Minister, then I am not qualified to hold this office,” he said.
The statement raises the stakes for Wike personally as political parties and alliances prepare for the 2027 contest.
Ultimately, however, the results in Rivers and the FCT will be determined by voters at the ballot box, making Wike’s declaration a political commitment whose outcome will depend on the choices of the electorate.
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