The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has made a bold declaration of political allegiance, openly stating his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking at his first monthly media briefing of 2026, held in Abuja on Monday, Wike stressed that his loyalty would be to the President rather than to any political party.
Wike did not shy away from openly critiquing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), of which he is a senior member.
He said the party has yet to learn from its internal crises, which he believes have weakened its cohesion and effectiveness.
According to him, the persistent disputes and lack of internal reforms have made it difficult for the PDP to project strong leadership, leaving room for alternative political alignments.
“As it is today, my party seems not to have learned, and I will support the President for a second term in office,” Wike said, making his position unambiguous.
He explained that while he remains a member of the PDP, his support for political candidates is issue-based and tied directly to whether they endorse the President’s leadership, rather than purely party loyalty.
Reflecting on his experience within the PDP, Wike stated that the party never consulted him on which candidates to support when he assumed office as FCT Minister.
From that moment, he made it clear that his political alignment would favor individuals who back the President, regardless of their political party.
“I didn’t beat around the bush. I told them I would support only candidates who were in favor of the President,” he remarked.
Wike emphasized that his approach is not about abandoning party ideals but about prioritizing leadership that aligns with his vision of governance.
He made it clear that this position prevents him from being drawn into internal party conflicts or political maneuvers against the President.
“I never said I would support that particular party,” Wike explained.
“What I said is that I will support candidates who are in support of Mr President, irrespective of their political affiliation. That is where my focus lies.”
The FCT Minister also addressed criticisms surrounding the curfew imposed ahead of the February 21 area council elections in the territory.
Some observers had questioned whether the security measure was intended to influence the outcome of the polls.
Wike defended the action, stating it was implemented purely for security reasons and approved by President Tinubu.
“As the governor of the FCT, overseeing about 3,000 polling units, I have a duty to ensure security. I am not a candidate, so I have no personal interest in the election outcome,” he clarified.
Critics had also raised concerns about Wike’s movements across certain polling units during election day.
In response, he argued that visiting a few locations could not possibly sway results across thousands of polling centres.
“The FCT has no fewer than 3,000 polling units. Even if I went to 10 units to observe, how could that affect the entire election?” he questioned.
He distinguished his role as chief security officer from that of political candidates, emphasizing that his presence was intended to monitor security, not to influence voter behavior.
By stressing his issue-based support, Wike also sought to highlight a broader political philosophy.
He argued that allegiance to leadership and effective governance should supersede rigid party loyalty, particularly in situations where a party fails to demonstrate cohesion or the ability to learn from internal challenges.
This reasoning underpins his decision to publicly back President Tinubu while remaining a PDP member.
Wike’s statements have generated attention across political circles, as they reflect a growing trend of political actors prioritizing individual leadership qualities over strict partisan alignment.
Observers note that this could have implications for the 2027 elections, as influential figures like Wike may shift voter sentiment and candidate support based on personal assessment of leadership effectiveness.
In conclusion, Wike’s public declaration is both a reaffirmation of his loyalty to President Tinubu and a critique of the PDP’s ongoing internal struggles.
By prioritizing support for candidates aligned with the President, defending curfew measures for election security, and clarifying the nature of his political allegiance, Wike positions himself as a figure focused on governance and leadership rather than partisan politics.
As the 2027 elections approach, his statements are likely to resonate with political observers and voters who value leadership over party loyalty.
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