Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed to resign from office on January 17, 2027, if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu loses the presidential election in Rivers State and the FCT.
Wike made the declaration while addressing members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association in Abuja, as he mobilises political support for Tinubu ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election. INEC has officially scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027.
Key Highlights
- Wike says he will resign as FCT Minister if Tinubu loses Rivers and the FCT.
- Wike has set January 17, 2027, as the date for his proposed resignation.
- The former Rivers governor says he must deliver electoral victory for Tinubu in his home state and the FCT.
- Wike is mobilising a multi-party coalition, which he has described as a “Rainbow Coalition”.
- The declaration has triggered mixed reactions among supporters, opponents and political observers.
- Rivers State is expected to be a major battleground in the 2027 presidential election.
“If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,” Wike said.
He added: “If I lose FCT, I’m not supposed to be FCT Minister. By January 17, 2027, I will announce my resignation as FCT Minister should the President lose in Rivers State and the FCT.”
The minister said his political responsibility extended beyond his role as FCT Minister, stressing that he was determined to secure support for Tinubu in both the capital and his home state.
Wike, who served as governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, has remained one of Tinubu’s prominent political allies despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Wike Mobilises Support For Tinubu
The declaration came during Wike’s engagement with the leadership and members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association in Abuja, which was reported by the News Agency of Nigeria.
The minister said a multi-party political coalition was being consolidated across the FCT to support Tinubu and candidates backed by the coalition in the 2027 elections.
“Let us be clear on direction: for the presidency, it is Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike told the gathering.
He also endorsed former FCT Senator Philip Aduda for the Senate and indicated support for former area council chairmen seeking election to the House of Representatives.
Wike said the coalition was designed to mobilise voters across political parties and communities in the FCT.
Wike’s Political Influence In Rivers
Wike’s political influence in Rivers State has remained a major feature of the state’s politics since he left office as governor in 2023.
The former governor has continued to maintain political structures in the state while also building alliances outside the PDP.
His support for Tinubu became particularly significant after the 2023 presidential election, when he emerged as one of the opposition figures who worked with the president despite belonging to the PDP.
Wike has described his political mobilisation strategy as a “Rainbow Coalition”, involving supporters drawn from different political parties.
Mixed Reactions To Wike’s Resignation Pledge
Wike’s declaration has generated mixed reactions on social media, particularly on X.
Some supporters praised his confidence and political organisation, arguing that his influence in Rivers State gives him reason to believe he can deliver votes for Tinubu.
Others questioned whether a minister’s continued appointment should be linked to the outcome of an election in his home state or the territory where he serves.
Some opposition supporters have also interpreted Wike’s statement as a direct political challenge, saying they would work to defeat Tinubu in Rivers State.
The reactions have turned Wike’s proposed resignation into one of the early talking points in the build-up to the 2027 presidential election.
Read also:
- Wike Vows To Resign If Tinubu Loses FCT, Rivers In 2027
- Nigeria at 66: Wike Urges FCT Residents to Choose Leaders Who Will Sustain Infrastructure Projects
- Wike’s Rainbow Coalition Crucial To Tinubu’s Victory In 2027 – Ex-IYC President
Rivers, FCT Become Key Battlegrounds
Wike’s declaration has placed renewed attention on Rivers State and the FCT ahead of the presidential election.
Rivers is Wike’s home state, while the FCT is the territory where he currently serves as minister. His statement therefore makes the electoral performance of both areas a direct test of the political strategy he has been promoting.
The minister has repeatedly pointed to infrastructure projects and other developments in the FCT as evidence of his administration’s performance.
He has also used engagements with traders, mechanics and other grassroots groups to build support for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
Rivers Political Contest Intensifies
The political contest in Rivers State remains closely watched, with competing interests involving Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Wike and other prominent political figures, including former governor Rotimi Amaechi.
Wike’s latest declaration is likely to intensify attention on the state’s presidential voting pattern and his ability to mobilise support for Tinubu.
For now, his pledge is clear: if Tinubu loses both Rivers State and the FCT in the January 16, 2027 presidential election, Wike says he will announce his resignation as FCT Minister the following day.
For more updates on the 2027 race, follow us on X.
