Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has vowed that the Rainbow Coalition, working with the All Progressives Congress (APC), will secure victory for President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT during the 2027 general elections.
Wike made the declaration on Tuesday while addressing members of the Rivers Rainbow Coalition Youths in Port Harcourt, insisting that opposition threats and political manoeuvres would not stop Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The former Rivers State governor attributed the administration’s growing support to its infrastructure projects and policy interventions, arguing that political leaders should be assessed based on their performance and the benefits they deliver to the people.
“We are not playing politics for the sake of it without bringing benefits to our people. After all, we are not looking for those who are fine or finer. We are looking for those who will do something that will positively impact Nigerians and the Rivers people,” he said.
Wike maintained that Rivers State’s political decisions should be guided by the interests of its people and the benefits they could receive from the Federal Government.
He claimed that at least 49 indigenes of Rivers State currently occupy prominent positions in the Federal Government.
“What is important is: where is Rivers State, where are we going, and how will the election benefit Rivers State? That’s what we’re talking about,” he said.
The minister criticised opposition politicians, describing some of them as political gamblers who lacked consistency and made promises without delivering tangible results.
“You cannot vote for a political gambler. Every time, they come around making empty promises, but our people know better now,” he said.
Wike expressed confidence that voters would judge candidates by their records and the impact of their policies rather than campaign promises.
“We want to win this election with a difference,” he added.
Wike Attacks Atiku, Obi
During the meeting, Wike also criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, questioning their credibility and suitability for the presidency.
He described Atiku as untrustworthy and referred to Obi as a “fake man,” while reaffirming the coalition’s support for Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The FCT minister also emphasised the importance of young people in the coalition’s mobilisation efforts, directing that they be adequately represented on committees organising presidential rallies and other campaign activities.
“The committee for the presidential rally must put a reasonable number of our youths,” Wike said.
He urged supporters to remain united, strengthen grassroots structures and mobilise voters ahead of the elections.
Chinda Promises Youth-Friendly Government
Earlier, APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda promised to run an inclusive and youth-friendly government if elected, pledging to prioritise education, student welfare and vocational training.
Chinda said local government council chairmen would be required to take bursary payments to students seriously, describing the commitment as compulsory.
“In fact, when you talked about bursary, he whispered to me, ‘You must take it very seriously.’
“So it will be compulsory for every local government council chairman to take the issues of bursary seriously. Compulsory, without compromise,” he said.
He also promised improvements in technical and vocational education to equip young people with practical skills and better opportunities.
Chinda thanked members of the Rainbow Coalition Youths for supporting the political movement led by Wike, assuring them that their contributions would not be forgotten.
He described Wike as a leader committed to youth development and said the coalition would promote unity among political stakeholders in Rivers State.
Chinda further declared the coalition’s support for Tinubu’s second-term bid, saying young people in Rivers were prepared to mobilise behind the President.
“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.
Coalition Leaders Promise Grassroots Mobilisation
The Rivers State Coordinator of the Rainbow Coalition Youth and South-South Coordinator of City Boys, Chima Aguma, assured Wike of extensive grassroots mobilisation to secure victory for Tinubu and other candidates supported by the coalition.
Similarly, the President of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), Justice Uranta, pledged to mobilise students across the state’s 23 local government areas, tertiary institutions and the diaspora.
The coalition members said they would work to secure support for Tinubu and the coalition’s governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
