Wike vows to resign if Tinubu loses FCT, Rivers in 2027

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he will resign from office if President Bola Tinubu loses the FCT and Rivers State in the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the declaration on Wednesday during a meeting with leaders and members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association in Abuja.

According to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister said his continued stay in the federal cabinet should depend on his ability to deliver electoral support for the President in areas where he exercises political influence.

Wike said he would announce his resignation on January 17, 2027, a day after the presidential election, if Tinubu failed to win Rivers State and the FCT.

“If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,” Wike said.

He added: “If I lose FCT, I’m not supposed to be FCT Minister. By January 17, 2027, I will announce my resignation as FCT Minister should the President lose in Rivers State and the FCT.”

Wike also disclosed plans for a multi-party political coalition in the FCT ahead of the elections, saying the arrangement would support candidates across different political parties.

The minister reiterated his support for Tinubu’s re-election and identified former senator Philip Aduda as the candidate his political group would support for the Senate.

He said the coalition would also back two former area council chairmen seeking election to the House of Representatives.

“In the FCT, we are running a unified coalition across parties to deliver results,” Wike said.

The declaration comes amid political debate over Wike’s cross-party coalition. Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party while serving as FCT minister in Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress-led federal government. Some APC state leaders have recently criticised the arrangement and urged him to formally join the ruling party.