Wike says he will remain active in Rivers politics ahead of 2027, insisting he will support Tinubu and resist efforts by Atiku or Obi to win.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his determination to remain actively involved in the political affairs of Rivers State ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Wike, who spoke on Wednesday during his monthly media interaction with selected journalists in Port Harcourt, said his continued presence in the state was necessary to monitor political developments and maintain close contact with his supporters.
The former Rivers State governor also dismissed speculation that his frequent trips to the state indicated plans to relocate from Abuja.
According to him, there was no conflict between his responsibilities as FCT minister and his decision to regularly return to Rivers, which he described as his political home.
Wike explained that remaining in Abuja and depending entirely on information supplied by political associates could prevent him from having a clear understanding of what was actually happening on the ground.
He said personal engagement was particularly important as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 elections.
“I don’t want to sit in Abuja and candidates are saying, ‘Oh, don’t bother, everything is going on well’. I have to come home and see that all those things are going on. ‘Have you done this? What about this?’” Wike said.
He stressed that his visits were not motivated by an intention to abandon Abuja, but by the need to interact directly with the people and remain abreast of political developments in Rivers.
“It’s not about relocating; it’s about coming home to relate with the people and talk to them, and also do those things you know how to do very well, not to take chances,” he stated.
“So, I’m not relocating. I don’t need to relocate, but I also have to be in touch with my people so that I don’t just sit in Abuja and then say that everything is going on there well.”
The minister said his long-standing relationship with Rivers State made it impossible for him to completely distance himself from political activities in the state.
He pointed out that his family ties, personal relationships and political network remained firmly rooted in Rivers, making regular visits an important part of his engagement.
Wike added that his parents were still alive and that he continued to maintain close relationships with people in the state.
He therefore urged those interpreting his frequent appearances in Rivers as evidence of an impending relocation to Abuja to understand that his visits were simply part of his effort to remain connected with his political base.
Beyond Rivers State, however, Wike used the occasion to make his position on the 2027 presidential contest clear.
The FCT minister said he would not remain on the sidelines and watch former Vice President Atiku Abubakar make significant political gains ahead of the next presidential election.
Reacting to the suggestion that he should remain less involved in political activities, Wike asked rhetorically: “You want me to fold my hand for Atiku Abubakar to come and win the election?”
His comment underscores his continued commitment to President Bola Tinubu, whom he has openly supported despite his political differences with some members of the opposition.
Wike said his support for Tinubu’s re-election had placed him in a politically vulnerable position, especially because he believes the opposition would consider him one of its major targets if the President loses the 2027 election.
He specifically referred to the possibility of Atiku or Peter Obi defeating Tinubu at the polls, saying he was conscious of the consequences such an outcome could have for him personally.
“I will be the first politician that I think they will come after. I will be the first politician. I know they will come for my head,” Wike declared.
Despite the potential consequences, the minister said he was not prepared to retreat from his political position.
He maintained that he had deliberately chosen to support Tinubu and would continue working towards the President’s re-election.
Wike said his commitment to the President had become a major part of his political activities, adding that he remained focused on helping Tinubu secure another term in office.
“Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s reelection. When I am eating, I think about the president’s reelection. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s reelection,” he said.
The former governor’s declaration comes against the backdrop of increasing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political parties and opposition groups have continued to position themselves for the presidential contest, while potential alliances and realignments are also beginning to shape the political landscape.
Wike’s continued involvement in Rivers State is significant because of his longstanding influence in the state and his previous role as governor.
Although he currently serves in the federal cabinet, he has consistently maintained that his political roots and relationships in Rivers remain important.
The minister also spoke about the criticism he has faced because of his political choices.
According to Wike, few politicians in Nigeria have attracted the level of criticism and name-calling that he has experienced since openly taking his current political position.
Rather than allowing the criticism to change his stance, he said he was prepared to ignore his detractors and concentrate on what he considered his political objective.
“I don’t see where anybody in this country today has been called names the way my name has been. I am not bothered about people who say their own thing. My business is, like I said, I am going to support Mr President,” he said.
Wike’s comments also suggest that he intends to combine his responsibilities in Abuja with continued political engagement in Rivers as the 2027 election approaches.
He maintained that there was no reason for him to choose between serving as FCT minister and maintaining contact with his political base.
For Wike, regular visits to Rivers provide an opportunity to assess the mood of the people, communicate with political associates and determine whether activities ahead of the election are progressing as planned.
He also indicated that he was unwilling to depend solely on assurances from individuals around him that political arrangements were satisfactory.
Instead, he wants to personally establish what is happening and identify areas that require attention.
With the 2027 presidential race expected to generate further political realignments, Wike’s remarks show that he intends to remain an active participant in the process.
His decision to openly campaign for Tinubu, coupled with his determination to maintain influence in Rivers, is likely to keep him at the centre of political discussions as the country moves closer to the election.
For now, Wike insists that his frequent return to Rivers is not a sign that he is abandoning Abuja. Rather, he sees it as part of his broader political responsibility and his determination to protect the interests of his political camp ahead of 2027.
He has also made it clear that whatever criticism or political risks may come with his position, he intends to continue supporting President Tinubu’s bid for another term.
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