Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has set a clear condition for governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the 2027 presidential election: only those who deliver their states for President Bola Tinubu should claim a share of the victory. Wike made this statement on Friday during the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, drawing a direct line between state-level performance and the right to celebrate a national win.
Wike's Challenge to APC Governors
Speaking at the event, Wike emphasized that the president's victory must begin at the state level. He warned that governors who fail to secure their states for Tinubu should not associate themselves with the victory if the president wins. The minister said: "I want to say, if you don't deliver your states and the president wins, don't say we've won. It's not a question of whether I am chairman, secretary or member of this. What is important is for the president to win."
This statement underscores the minister's insistence on accountability and results from APC governors, who are expected to play a critical role in mobilizing support for the president's re-election bid. Wike's remarks also signal his own commitment to the campaign, despite his background as a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.
Lagos as a Test Case
The minister singled out Lagos State as a specific example, revealing that he had already conveyed the same message to the Chief of Staff to the President. Wike added: "I told the Chief of Staff to the President, if the president doesn't win in Lagos, don't say we've won."
This comment carries considerable weight given that Lagos is widely regarded as a stronghold of the APC and a critical base for President Tinubu, who served as governor of the state for eight years before his rise to the presidency. The implication is clear: failure to secure Lagos would be a significant blow to the president's re-election prospects, and no one should claim victory without it.
Wike's Pledge for Rivers and FCT
Beyond his challenge to other governors, Wike also spoke about his own delivery targets, committing both Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory to Tinubu's column. He noted: "By the grace of God, Rivers and FCT will vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu."
This pledge is particularly notable for Rivers State, given its political history and the complex dynamics that have followed Wike's transition from the PDP to his current alignment with the federal administration. The minister's commitment to delivering both regions underscores his role in the campaign and his determination to contribute to Tinubu's victory.
Context of Tensions with APC Governors
Legit.ng earlier reported that Wike addressed tension between himself and APC governors ahead of the 2027 election. The minister, a PDP chieftain and former governor of Rivers, alleged that the APC governors' grievances against him began when he was appointed Minister of the FCT. He also linked the APC governors to the crisis between him and Rivers State governor Siminalayi Fubara.
These tensions add a layer of complexity to Wike's challenge, as he seeks to position himself as a key player in the president's re-election campaign while navigating relationships with state governors. His remarks at the campaign council inauguration are likely to set the tone for the APC's strategy as the 2027 election approaches.
