Wike plays down role of governors in Rivers mobilisation for Tinubu’s 2027 bid

The minister responsible for Nigeria’s federal capital, Nyesom Wike, has said supporters of President Bola Tinubu in Rivers state do not require the backing of a sitting governor to mobilise support ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike, a former governor of Rivers and now minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), made the remarks on Saturday in Port Harcourt at the inauguration of the headquarters of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, a pro-Tinubu political support group.

He praised the group’s Rivers state coordinator, Desmond Akawor, for what he described as extensive grassroots mobilisation across the oil-producing state, saying the effort demonstrated firm commitment to Tinubu’s re-election bid.

“We have mobilised ourselves to make a commitment,” Wike said, arguing that political support should be driven by personal effort rather than reliance on the resources of the candidate being supported.

Rivers state has been at the centre of intense political tension following a prolonged power struggle between the current governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and Wike, his predecessor. The rift has reshaped political alliances in the state and drawn national attention.

Wike insisted that support for Tinubu in Rivers extended beyond formal party structures, noting the presence of lawmakers, local government officials and party leaders from both the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) at the event.

“Our commitment is not by mouth or by newspaper; it is by action,” he said.

The minister also criticised unnamed governors, senators and political figures whom he accused of enabling betrayal in Rivers state, warning that they would face similar treatment from their successors.