Wike: Tinubu's Re-election Remains My Priority, Not 2031

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed that his top political priority remains securing President Bola Tinubu's re-election in 2027.

Wike made the remarks on Monday in Abuja while addressing newsmen after inspecting ongoing road projects across the FCT.

He also pushed back against allegations that the cross-party Rainbow Coalition, with which he is associated, was formed to destabilise existing political parties, describing such claims as "baseless." He insisted the coalition was designed to unite individuals from different political platforms who support Tinubu's administration.

"My primary concern is whether Tinubu will be re-elected for a second term, and I have made it known from the onset that I am going to support Mr President with all my might and strength," he said.

Wike said he was unbothered by accusations levelled against the coalition, but expressed disappointment at suggestions that the initiative could destabilise political parties. "I am not bothered about what accusations people make, but it is very disappointing to hear some people say the rainbow coalition will destabilise the party," he said.

He explained that the coalition was not attempting to stop anyone from backing other political interests, but was instead encouraging its members and like-minded Nigerians to rally behind Tinubu. "We have not gone to anyone to say they should not support anyone; rather, we asked all our party members and like-minded people who are not APC members to ensure they support Mr President," he said.

Drawing a comparison with the G5 governors' role in the 2023 general elections, Wike questioned why similar concerns were not raised at the time about possible disruption to the political structure.

 "Looking back at 2023 when it was the G5, why did nobody complain that it would destabilise the party? Did the President not win? Did it affect the APC-controlled National Assembly?" he asked.
While conceding that the G5 may have offered some political advantage, he argued that this did not justify the current outcry over the Rainbow Coalition. "You can argue that it gave them an advantage, but that is not the real cause of the outcry today. There are undertones to this," he said.

Wike disclosed that he would appear on TVC later that Monday to further explain the issues surrounding the coalition, saying the appearance would help Nigerians understand what he described as the true reasons behind the concerns being raised.

He also dismissed speculation that his current political realignment was aimed at positioning himself for a 2031 presidential bid. "People are taking the position of God. First of all, you have to pray to be alive—asking God to keep you alive until tomorrow or the next day. Only when God keeps you alive will you know what to do," he said.

Recalling his second-place finish in the 2022 presidential primaries, Wike said his political experience had exposed him to the complexities of Nigerian politics. "By 2031 Mr President will not run and he will have interest in who will succeed him, and I will not be at loggerhead with his interest," he said, adding that God ultimately determines the future.

On the FCT road projects, Wike expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of the work, saying they were expected to be completed before the January 2027 general elections. He inspected the ongoing construction of the Inner Southern Expressway from Ring Road I to Ring Road II, the service lanes of the Southern Parkway from Arterial Road S20 in Gaduwa District to Ring Road II, and the road linking Nile University to Ring Road III.

The minister commended the contractors for maintaining high standards and assured that the Tinubu administration would deliver on its promises.