“I Am Outside Nigeria, Resting And Relaxing” — Wike On Lobbying For Tinubu Campaign DG

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has debunked reports that he is lobbying to be appointed Director-General, DG, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Campaign Council, PCC, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike, who reiterated his support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said he did not need to occupy any position in the President’s campaign council to contribute to his electoral victory.

The Minister, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, yesterday, described the reports as false.

Reports had listed Wike among prominent APC chieftains and government officials allegedly lobbying for, or being mentioned for, the position of DG of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.

But Wike said he had not discussed either the leadership or membership of the proposed campaign council with anyone.

According to him, “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.”

The former Rivers State governor said his immediate priority on returning to Nigeria would remain the implementation of his mandate at 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,” he said.

Wike further stressed that his commitment to Tinubu’s re-election was not dependent on securing a position in the campaign council.

“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 said.

The minister’s comments effectively dismissed speculation that he was positioning himself for a senior role in the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign structure, while reaffirming his determination to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.