2027: Cancel Rivers From Your Calculations, Only Tinubu Can Win There, Wike Tells Opponents

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Tinubu is the only presidential candidate capable of winning Rivers State in the 2027 general election, urging political opponents to exclude the state from their electoral projections if they are not counting votes for the President.

Wike made the remarks on Tuesday during his monthly media chat in Abuja, where he disclosed that a political coalition made up of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Labour Party (LP), the Action Alliance (AA), and other groups had resolved to work together in support of Tinubu’s re-election while prioritising the interests of Rivers State.

“If anybody is counting Rivers, go now and cancel it. The only person that can count Rivers is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I’m not talking because I want to talk; I’m talking as a political realist because I know my people,” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor explained that the coalition was intentionally formed to transcend party lines by backing candidates considered best suited to advance the state’s interests, irrespective of their political affiliation.

“Today, we have PDP, APC, Labour Party, AA all together. We have candidates across different political parties for the House of Assembly and National Assembly. We will support the candidate who is most acceptable. Whoever emerges should not be seen as APC or PDP; the person should be seen as the coalition’s candidate,” he stated.

According to the FCT minister, the alliance is rapidly gaining support across Rivers State.

“All we are doing is for one purpose—to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It is all-inclusive and it is spreading like wildfire,” he added.

Wike dismissed claims that the coalition was established to strengthen any particular political party, insisting that its primary objective was to ensure greater development for Rivers State.

“For me, what matters is Rivers State. If Rivers State is relevant because projects are coming and people are benefiting from government, then I am satisfied. It is not about personal ambition; it is about the interest of the state,” he said.

Reflecting on his political journey, Wike said his experience in public office—from local government chairman to governor and now minister—had equipped him with a deep understanding of politics and leadership.

“I have been in politics since 1999. Nobody can teach me politics or tell me how to navigate it. Politics is about leadership and understanding the interests of your people,” he said.

Recalling the 2019 governorship election in Rivers State, Wike alleged that the Federal Government deployed overwhelming security forces in an attempt to influence the outcome, but said he prevailed despite the pressure.

“I saw what federal might means. Military personnel came with battalions as if Rivers State was at war. We survived it by the grace of God and fought back,” he said.

He maintained that his political influence is rooted in the trust and confidence Rivers people have in his leadership.

“Once the people trust you, they believe that what you tell them will happen. Leadership is about carrying the people along, and that is what we have continued to do,” Wike added.