By Achile Danjuma
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has firmly declared his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, vowing to campaign for a second term for the President despite his own membership in the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking at his first monthly media parley for the year 2026 in Abuja on Monday, the former Rivers State governor did not mince words about where his political loyalty lies, stating it is with President Tinubu, not his party.
“As it is today, my party seems to have not learned, and I am also going to support the President for a second term in office,” Wike said.
The minister, a prominent PDP chieftain, used the opportunity to criticize his own party for failing to resolve its lingering internal crises. He explained that his allegiance is issue-based and tied to the President, a position he has held since his appointment as a minister.
“I never said I would support that particular party, but I did say I would support candidates who are in favor of the Mr. President, regardless of which party they are from,” Wike clarified. He added that this clear stance prevents him from being drawn into any political maneuvering against Tinubu, stating, “That’s where I’m going to focus my support. So the problem of me being part of a group that’s working for another group doesn’t come up.”
In addition to his political declarations, Wike addressed criticisms regarding the curfew imposed ahead of the February 21 area council elections in the FCT. He defended the security measure, asserting that he acted within his powers as the FCT Minister and did not seek to influence the poll’s outcome.
Wike dismissed claims that the decision was unilateral, revealing that the action was approved by President Tinubu. He stressed his role as the chief security officer of the territory, which grants him the authority to assess security situations.
“I have the right, I am the governor of 3,000 polling units. For security, I have to find out what is going on,” he stated.
Responding directly to critics who questioned his movements on election day, the minister challenged the logic that visiting a few locations could sway results across the vast territory.
“FCT has not less than 3,000 polling units. Assuming I went to 10 polling units to check what was going on, how will it affect 3,000 polling units?” Wike queried. He further distinguished between his role as a potential candidate and his duty as chief security officer: “As a candidate, I cannot move around. I must have my agents. As the Chief Security Officer, I have a right to have a view of what is going on. How does it affect or influence the election?”