ABUJA — Ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that securing President Bola Tinubu’s re-election has become his major political priority.
Wike made the declaration on Monday during town hall meetings with the Rumueme and Apara kingdoms in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The former Rivers State governor said his commitment to Tinubu’s re-election was unwavering, expressing confidence that the president would have an easier victory in 2027 than he did in the 2023 presidential election.
“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s re-election. When I am eating, I think about the president’s re-election. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s re-election,” Wike said.
He appealed to Rivers residents to put political sentiments aside and support Tinubu, citing what he described as the president’s recognition of the state through appointments and developmental initiatives.
Wike said, “Let us forget sentiment and vote for the person who has recognised the people of Rivers State with dividends of democracy and with several appointments.”
He further declared: “I know the re-election of Tinubu in 2027 will be easier than that of 2023. We should appreciate Tinubu and ensure he gets a massive number of votes. We can do it.”
The FCT minister also highlighted appointments of Rivers indigenes into strategic positions within the Tinubu administration, as well as projects he said had benefited the state.
Wike, however, turned his attention to opposition figures preparing to challenge Tinubu in 2027, particularly African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and his running mate, Rotimi Amaechi.
He accused the opposition duo of misleading Nigerians and argued that they lacked the political strength required to defeat Tinubu.
Wike also predicted that the ADC would struggle to secure the constitutionally required 25 per cent of votes in Rivers State.
He similarly described Peter Obi and other opposition presidential hopefuls as “unelectable politicians,” urging his supporters and political allies to remain focused ahead of the 2027 contest.
NDC Candidate Makes Salary Pledge
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Rivers State, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, has made a major pledge, promising to donate his salary and allowances to widows across the state if elected governor in 2027.
Lulu-Briggs made the pledge during a media chat in Buguma, his country home in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, where he unveiled his governance blueprint, titled “Reset Rivers State.”
The candidate promised to run an administration based on transparency, accountability and selflessness while creating opportunities for young people.
Lulu-Briggs said his decision was inspired by Peter Obi, whom he described as his principal.
“When we have the opportunity to manage government resources, I can promise Rivers people that their every penny will be accounted for.
“I’m sure I’m going to be like my principal, campaigning for President, Peter Obi. I will not even be asking for any salary. Every month, any salary will go into assisting one widow or the other,” he said.
He explained that his financial independence would enable him to serve without relying on government remuneration, adding that his businesses would continue to support him after leaving office.
The NDC candidate also said he would not demand a pension after his tenure, insisting that his businesses would remain operational.
According to him, the sacrifice is aimed at restoring public confidence in government and demonstrating that political office should be regarded as an opportunity to serve rather than an avenue for personal enrichment.
‘Rivers Residents Must Trust Government Again’
Lulu-Briggs lamented what he described as a widening trust deficit between Rivers residents and successive administrations, promising to rebuild the relationship if elected.
“People need to begin to have faith in their government again. The trust deficit between the ruled and the rulership is frightening,” he said.
He said his proposed “reset” would focus on the state’s economy, politics, governance and access to opportunities, stressing that residents should not need political connections to benefit from government programmes.
“You will not need to know anybody to get something,” he declared.
The NDC candidate identified young people as the state’s greatest strength and promised massive investment in human capital development.
He argued that Rivers State’s future should not depend solely on its natural resources, saying the state must also be defined by innovation and creativity.
“We will not be defined by the things that God has blessed us with only, but by the innovative things that we are able to create,” he said.
Lulu-Briggs also promised to reform the state civil service, which he described as the engine of government, and accused the concentration of government activities and contracts at the Government House of weakening the service.
He pledged increased investment in healthcare, including the rehabilitation and activation of primary healthcare centres across the state.
He also promised to recruit more doctors and provide incentives such as accommodation and inconvenience allowances to encourage medical professionals to work in rural communities.
While acknowledging the performance of existing teaching hospitals, he said further improvements were needed in patient care and the nursing workforce.
Lulu-Briggs maintained that his ultimate objective was to use public office to restore trust, expand opportunities and ensure that Rivers State’s natural wealth translates into better living conditions for its people.
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