Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, while declaring that Rivers State would support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday during a rally organised by youths of the Rivers Rainbow Coalition in Port Harcourt, where he questioned the credibility of Atiku and dismissed Obi’s political popularity as largely driven by social media.
The former Rivers State governor, who said he had belonged to the same political party as Atiku, accused the former vice-president of inconsistency and failing to keep his promises.
“I have been in the same party with Atiku Abubakar. He is not a man who keeps to his words. What he says in the night is not what he says in the morning,” Wike said.
He also faulted Atiku’s repeated attempts to become president, alleging that his ambition was motivated by personal interest rather than a commitment to national development.
Turning his attention to Obi, Wike described him as a social media politician and mocked what he characterised as an attempt to build a presidential image through online popularity and public appearances.
The minister challenged the youths at the gathering to consider the records of political leaders rather than their public image when deciding whom to support in the 2027 general election.
Wike said his backing for Tinubu was informed by what he described as the benefits Rivers State had received from the Federal Government under the current administration.
According to him, no previous administration since the return to democratic rule had provided Rivers State with comparable federal representation and development opportunities.
He claimed that at least 49 Rivers indigenes currently occupy prominent positions in the Federal Government, describing the appointments as evidence of Tinubu’s recognition of the state.
Wike also pointed to the Bonny-Bodo road and bridge project as an example of the administration’s intervention, arguing that the project had improved access to communities previously difficult to reach by road.
“We’re not looking for those who are fine or finer. We’re looking for those who will do something that will positively impact on Nigerians and also impact on Rivers people,” he said.
Reaffirming his political position, the minister declared that Rivers State would support Tinubu regardless of the presidential ambitions of Atiku and Obi.
“Whether you are Atiku, whether you are Obi, Rivers State is for Tinubu!” he said, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Wike further announced that the Rivers Rainbow Coalition would formally unveil its candidates on October 27, urging members to intensify grassroots mobilisation among residents, community leaders and other stakeholders ahead of the 2027 elections.
The APC governorship candidate in Rivers State, Kingsley Chinda, also addressed the gathering, promising to prioritise youth participation, vocational training and community development if elected.
Chinda said the coalition’s support for Tinubu reflected what he described as the collective position of Rivers youths.
“The message we are sending out today is that the youths of Rivers State are unapologetically, unconditionally standing firm with Tinubu for President,” he said.
He pledged to reform the state’s education system by giving greater attention to technical and vocational education, arguing that developing practical skills would create employment opportunities and strengthen the local economy.
Chinda lamented that people seeking skilled technical services often looked beyond Nigeria, including to neighbouring Cotonou, and expressed optimism that Rivers State could become a centre for quality craftsmanship.
He also said elected local government chairmen across the state’s 23 councils would be expected to prioritise youth development and establish vocational training centres.
Several youth leaders at the rally pledged to mobilise support for Tinubu and other candidates endorsed by the Rainbow Coalition.
The coalition’s youth coordinator in Rivers State and South-South coordinator of City Boys, Chima Aguma, assured Wike that the group would rely on its grassroots network to advance the coalition’s political objectives.
Aguma described the gathering as a meeting of loyal supporters who had stood by Wike during previous political struggles, promising to work towards the victory of Tinubu and the coalition’s candidates.
Similarly, the Rivers State chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Bani Nwisabari, presented a recognition plaque to Wike, citing his contributions to political inclusion and unity.
Nwisabari, who recalled that Wike had appointed him to the state’s Senior Secondary School Board, described himself as a beneficiary of the minister’s empowerment initiatives and pledged support for the coalition ahead of 2027.
The president of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), Justice Uranta, also promised to mobilise students across the 23 local government areas, tertiary institutions and Rivers communities in the diaspora in support of Tinubu and Chinda.
