2027: Wike Vows to Deliver Rivers, FCT for Tinubu, Calls Atiku and Obi Untrustworthy

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in Rivers State and the FCT ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing youths of the Rivers Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, insisting that political opposition and internal manoeuvres would not derail the President’s campaign.

The former Rivers State governor said the Federal Government’s infrastructure projects and policy interventions had strengthened its appeal, adding that political leaders should be assessed based on their performance and the benefits they deliver to citizens rather than campaign promises.

He said the Rainbow Coalition was established to support what he described as purposeful leadership and sustain development across the country.

Citing roads and bridges as examples, Wike argued that government projects should be judged by their impact on people’s lives, particularly at the grassroots.

He said the coalition was focused on securing practical benefits for Rivers State rather than engaging in politics without tangible results.

The minister also said at least 49 Rivers indigenes currently occupy prominent positions in the Federal Government, urging political stakeholders to consider how their decisions would affect the state.

Wike criticised opposition politicians, accusing some of making promises without delivering results. He expressed confidence that voters would assess candidates based on their records and the practical effects of their policies.

He also called for greater youth participation in the coalition’s mobilisation activities, directing that young people should be adequately represented on committees organising presidential rallies and other campaign events.

At the meeting, Wike questioned the credibility of opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi. He described Atiku as untrustworthy and referred to Obi as a fake man, while reaffirming his support for Tinubu’s re-election.

Earlier, the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, promised to run a youth-friendly and inclusive administration if elected in Rivers State.

Chinda said his proposed government would prioritise youth development, education and vocational training, including making bursary payments by local government councils compulsory.

He thanked members of the Rainbow Coalition Youths for supporting the political movement led by Wike, saying their contributions had been recognised and would continue to be appreciated.

Describing Wike as a leader committed to young people, Chinda said the coalition would promote unity among political stakeholders in Rivers State to achieve its political objectives.

He also declared the coalition’s support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, stating that Rivers youths were prepared to mobilise behind the President in 2027.

On students’ welfare, Chinda said local government chairmen would be expected to treat bursary payments as a priority, with no compromise on the commitment.

He also promised to expand technical and vocational education to equip young people with practical skills and improve their employment prospects.

The Rivers State Coordinator of the Rainbow Coalition Youth and South-South Coordinator of City Boys, Chima Aguma, assured Wike of grassroots mobilisation to support Tinubu and other candidates backed by the coalition.

Similarly, the President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), Justice Uranta, pledged to mobilise students across the state’s 23 local government areas, tertiary institutions and the diaspora in support of Tinubu and the coalition’s governorship candidate.

The youth leaders said they would work to build grassroots support for Tinubu and other candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.