By Philip Yatai
Abuja, Dec. 27, 2025 (NAN)
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has publicly pledged his unwavering political support for President Bola Tinubu’s anticipated re-election bid in 2027, signaling an early and aggressive start to the next electoral cycle. The declaration, made during a gathering in his home state of Rivers, underscores the enduring alliance between the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC) President—a relationship that has significantly reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape.
According to a statement from his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications, Mr. Lere Olayinka, Wike made the pledge on Saturday while meeting with PDP stakeholders in Ochigba, Rivers State. The meeting occurred on the sidelines of an end-of-year thanksgiving service organized by former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, in the Ahoada East Local Government Area.
Addressing his supporters, Wike framed his current support as a continuation of a politically risky bet he placed during the 2023 presidential election. He recalled openly backing Tinubu at a time when such support was “difficult” in Rivers State, a region traditionally dominated by the PDP. “Political courage was required in 2023,” Wike stated, noting that many were unsure of Tinubu’s chances and feared openly aligning with him.
“In politics, you must take a stand, believing that at the end of the day, it will be good. Now, it is good,” he said, implying that the early support has yielded dividends, including his appointment as a powerful minister overseeing the nation’s capital. He asserted that early supporters were duly recognized after Tinubu’s victory, a point likely aimed at consolidating his own political base by demonstrating the rewards of loyalty.
Wike’s speech carried a tone of defiance against perceived opponents, possibly within the PDP or rival factions in Rivers politics. He urged his stakeholders to continue supporting President Tinubu despite what he described as “intimidation in the state,” and pointedly remarked, “We know those who are ungrateful.” This rhetoric highlights the ongoing, often bitter, internal conflicts within the PDP, where Wike remains a formal member despite his central role in a rival administration.
More than just a pledge of support, the minister outlined a concrete timeline for political mobilization. He announced that preparations for the 2027 general elections would begin in earnest in January 2026—a full two years before the polls. This unusually early start suggests a campaign strategy focused on long-term grassroots organization and securing early commitments.
Central to his message was an emphasis on trust and political contracts. “Agreement is agreement. Anything you cannot do, don’t say it,” Wike told his supporters, promising to honor all political agreements. He positioned himself as a decisive leader, stating, “When we take a decision, Nigerians know we have taken it,” and dismissed latecomers or critics as lacking the courage to act “when it mattered most.”
Analysis & Context: Wike’s declaration is significant for several reasons. First, it formalizes the 2027 campaign season’s opening salvo from a key Tinubu ally. Second, it reinforces Wike’s role as a critical bridge between the APC presidency and certain voter blocs in the South-South. His ability to deliver substantial votes in Rivers State was a crucial factor in the 2023 election, and this early pledge is a move to lock down that support for the next cycle. Finally, his continued operation within PDP stakeholder meetings while pledging loyalty to an APC president exemplifies the complex, fluid nature of modern Nigerian politics, where party lines are increasingly blurred by personal alliances and pragmatic calculations.
Wike concluded with a firm commitment: “We are all in this till the end.” This statement serves as both a rallying cry for his camp and a clear signal to President Tinubu and the political establishment that his support is steadfast, setting the stage for the intense political maneuvering that will define the run-up to 2027. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
FDY/KTO
========
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
