Hunger Won’t Stop Tinubu, Atiku Won’t Take Rivers, Wike Vows
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says hunger and insecurity will not stop Nigerians from re-electing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
Wike also vowed to prevent African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from defeating Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT.
The minister spoke on Wednesday during a media parley with selected journalists in Port Harcourt, where he discussed the hardship facing Nigerians and the political calculations ahead of the 2027 election.
He acknowledged that hunger and insecurity would feature prominently in the election but said they would not automatically determine how Nigerians would vote.
“There is no election in Nigeria where the issue of hunger and insecurity won’t come up,” Wike said.
The former Rivers State governor urged critics to consider the realities of Nigerian politics rather than rely on theoretical assumptions about voters’ behaviour.
According to him, many Nigerians depend on political leaders for food and other forms of assistance, creating relationships that can influence their voting decisions.
He said such political dependence exists at the family, community, local government and ward levels.
Wike added that this makes the average Nigerian voter different from voters in countries where individuals are more independent in making political choices.
He recalled that hunger and insecurity were also major concerns during elections conducted under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Turning to the opposition, Wike said he would not fold his arms and allow Atiku to defeat Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT.
“You want me to fold my hand for Atiku to come and win the election?” he asked.
Wike declared that no presidential candidate would defeat Tinubu in Rivers and the FCT, adding that the FCT should be treated as a state for electoral purposes.
“So also in FCT, I owe the President these two states, Rivers and FCT. As far as the election is concerned, you count FCT as a state,” he said.
The minister described himself as the “General Commander of the Political Infantry”, insisting that political influence does not depend on occupying the office of governor.
“You do not need to be governor before you can be in charge. I am the General Commander of the Political Infantry; therefore, I am in charge,” Wike said.
He explained that his return to Rivers was partly aimed at reconnecting with his people and monitoring developments ahead of the election.
Wike said he could not remain in Abuja and assume that everything was going well without returning home to see the situation for himself.
“I have to come back home and see how those things are going on. My coming home is very good and not only political,” he said.
The minister also predicted that Tinubu would secure at least 25 per cent of votes in every Northern state.
He said Atiku would struggle to secure 10 per cent in several Southern states, including Plateau, Nasarawa, Kwara and Kogi.
Wike said his support for Tinubu was deliberate, despite remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party.
He further claimed that his political position could expose him to reprisals if Tinubu loses the 2027 election.
“If Mr President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku or Obi will hunt for his head,” Wike said.
He maintained that his priority was to secure Tinubu’s victory, particularly in Rivers State and the FCT, as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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