Wike: I’m Not Lobbying For Tinubu’s Campaign DG Job

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports that he is lobbying to become the Director-General (DG) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike, while reaffirming his unflinching support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election, said he did not need any position in the president’s campaign structure to contribute to his victory at the polls.

The minister declared that he would work to ensure that Tinubu wins massively in Rivers State and the FCT, regardless of whether he is appointed DG or even made a member of the Presidential Campaign Council.

Wike’s position was contained in a statement issued on Monday by his senior special assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

Reports had emerged in some sections of the media listing Wike among prominent APC chieftains and government officials allegedly lobbying for the position of DG of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council.

But the FCT minister described the reports as false, insisting that he had not discussed either the leadership or membership of the campaign council with anyone.

Wike, who disclosed that he was currently outside the country, said he was taking a break after an intensive period of activities in the FCT.

“I am outside Nigeria, resting and relaxing after spending over 30 days, commissioning projects, flagging off new ones and inspecting ongoing ones, especially those scheduled for commissioning in December and January, next year,” he said.

According to him, his priority upon returning to Nigeria would be the continued delivery of infrastructure and other projects in the FCT in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

“When I return, our focus will be the continuous delivery of our mandate in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to further enhance his electoral fortune in Rivers State and the FCT,” Wike stated.

The minister stressed that his support for Tinubu’s re-election was not tied to securing a position in the president’s campaign organisation.

“Therefore, I do not need to be the DG or even member of the Presidential Campaign Council of Mr President’s political party to contribute my quota by ensuring that he wins handsomely in Rivers State and the FCT,” he added.

Wike’s latest declaration comes amid growing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 elections, with political parties and their major stakeholders increasingly positioning themselves for the contests.

The former Rivers State governor has consistently backed Tinubu’s administration and declared his support for the president’s re-election, even as he maintains that his immediate responsibility is to deliver on his mandate as FCT minister.

He also reiterated that his political contribution to Tinubu’s re-election would be driven by his commitment to the president and his political mobilisation, rather than the pursuit of a formal position in the campaign council.