Wike Says Opposition Figures In Campaign Council Shows Tinubu’s Reach Beyond APC

Wike Says Opposition Figures In Campaign Council Shows Tinubu’s Reach Beyond APC
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the inclusion of opposition figures in President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council demonstrates the president’s appeal beyond the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, who spoke during his media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, said political affiliations should not prevent Nigerians from supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, insisting that national interest should take precedence over party loyalty.

He cited Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; and himself as examples of political figures outside the APC participating in the campaign structure.

“The President in his wisdom has said there are those who are not members of our party but have something to offer,” Wike said.

Adding, “You can see Prof. Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, who is the coordinator for Anambra State. You can see Adeleke in Osun, and then my humble self coordinating for Rivers and the FCT. So, it’s not necessarily an APC thing.

“There are those who are ready for the President to be re-elected to continue the good work he is doing for Nigeria, and we are happy to be part of it.”

The minister dismissed concerns that opposition members supporting Tinubu could create confusion within their parties, arguing that political leaders could mobilise their supporters behind a presidential candidate without formally defecting to the party sponsoring him.

“The major thing is Mr President. Why would anybody say there is a problem there? There is no confusion,” he said.

Wike also questioned the argument that only APC members should support Tinubu, insisting that the president’s performance should determine Nigerians’ political choices.

“Are you saying those in the opposition who want to support the President should not support him? Is that Governor telling me that only APC votes will make the President win?” he asked.

The minister further defended Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy, saying the president deserved a second term because he had taken difficult decisions that previous administrations avoided.

According to Wike, subsidy removal has increased the resources available to state governments to execute infrastructure projects and meet salary and pension obligations.

“We have had presidents who identified these problems, but they were unable to take a decision. Nigeria requires strong leadership,” he insisted.

Pointing out, “Take subsidy, for example: a lot of people advised against it, but he said, ‘I will do it; if I don’t do it, Nigeria will crumble.’ That decision has made funds available for sub-national governments to provide infrastructure and pay salaries.”

Acknowledging complaints about economic hardship, Wike argued that economic recovery required difficult decisions rather than instant solutions.

“The economy requires leadership that will take critical decisions that are difficult for people to easily accept,” he declared.

The minister also expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure strong support in the FCT in 2027, citing infrastructure projects and engagements with residents across the six area councils.

He said the FCT administration had built two police stations and residences for Divisional Police Officers in each area council, adding that the long-awaited Apo-Karshi Road and other projects in satellite towns would be commissioned before December.

“Nothing makes people happier than when you communicate with them. Right from day one, the President said, ‘Don’t just be a Minister of FCT by staying in the city; go to the rural areas and talk with them,’” Wike said.

He disclosed that FCT stakeholders had endorsed Tinubu’s re-election, expressing confidence that the president would perform strongly in the territory.

“My fight now is for other parties not to have up to 25 per cent in FCT. We have won,” he said.

Wike also challenged opposition figures to present their records in public office ahead of the 2027 elections, calling on former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi to account for projects and public resources during his tenure.

He dismissed suggestions that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could secure victory by relying on northern support, arguing that no candidate could assume an entire region would vote as a bloc.

“What will attract people to vote for you is good governance and what you have done on the ground,” he said.

On the ongoing teachers’ strike in the FCT, Wike accused the Nigeria Labour Congress leadership of politicising the dispute but promised to resolve it within the law.

“The time has come that we must stop this blackmail. You can’t continue to blackmail us. If we are owing you, that’s a different thing, but this strike is political,” he insisted, further stating “We will solve it, within the ambience of the rule of law.”

The minister also said Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara remained part of the broader political coalition, adding that their political differences had been resolved.

“Because we are all one, we have forgiven each other and come together. We and Fubara are working together,” Wike said.