Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged politicians supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential ambition to focus less on campaign positions and more on securing electoral victories in their respective constituencies.
Wike said political influence should be judged by results at the polling stations, stressing that those seeking prominent roles in the presidential campaign structure must first demonstrate their ability to deliver their wards, local government areas and states.
He made the remarks on Saturday during an inspection of ongoing road projects in Abuja.
According to the minister, holding a senior position in a presidential campaign council would mean little if the person could not secure victory for the President in his or her home state.
Wike said he would rather concentrate on his political base and work toward ensuring victory for Tinubu than pursue the position of Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council.
He also recalled instances where politicians who held prominent campaign positions in previous presidential elections were unable to deliver their home states to their candidates. Among those he mentioned were former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; former Senate President, Bukola Saraki; former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal; and former Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong.
“I don’t want to lose my state! I will be in my state. I have two states: FCT and my state,” Wike said.
The FCT minister, who reiterated that he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress, said supporting Tinubu did not necessarily mean becoming a member of the APC presidential campaign council.
He explained that the political coalition that supported Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election operated across different states and could adopt different arrangements in 2027.
Wike also pointed to ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja as part of what he described as evidence of the administration’s performance.
He argued that completed projects and their impact on residents would provide a stronger campaign message than promises.
The minister inspected the Apo-Karshi Road as well as the 14-kilometre dualisation of the Bwari-Kubwa Satellite Town access road.
He said the Apo-Karshi Road was inherited by the Tinubu administration after it was initially awarded in 2010. According to him, the previous contract was terminated following complaints from residents and the importance of completing the road, after which a new contract was awarded to SCC.
Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of work and disclosed that the contractor had indicated that the project would be completed by November.
He also commended the contractor for continuing work despite payment challenges, saying this showed confidence in the administration’s commitment to fulfilling its financial obligations.
On the Bwari-Kubwa road, Wike described the project as a major intervention that would improve transportation links and encourage economic activities in the satellite communities.
He further disclosed that the FCT Administration was working toward completing and commissioning several major projects before the 2027 elections.
Wike said the number of projects completed could exceed the 10 projects previously targeted, depending on the pace of work.
He maintained that the priority of the administration was to turn promises into visible projects that would have a meaningful impact on residents and the economy.
About the Author
