I won’t risk losing Rivers, FCT for APC presidential campaign DG job — Wike

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has explained why he declined an offer to be the Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign council. Wike, who is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), expressed concern over risking losing his states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Rivers State, by taking up the position.

In a series of examples, Wike cited previous campaign directors general who lost their states while serving in the role. He mentioned how a Rivers State governor lost his position after becoming the DG of Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 campaign and how a former Minister of Transport lost his state after becoming the DG of Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 campaign.

Wike also mentioned Aminu Tambuwal and Aliyu Lalong, who lost their respective states after serving as the DG of Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 campaign and as the APC presidential campaign DG, respectively.

Wike emphasized that his priority was to deliver the FCT and Rivers State, rather than occupying a campaign position. He questioned the importance of being the campaign DG, stating that it’s not about being the DG if one cannot deliver their state. Wike also cited his non-membership of the APC as another reason he could not head the council.

He maintained his support for Tinubu’s re-election, arguing his support would operate through a cross-party "Rainbow Coalition" involving politicians from different parties backing the President in their respective states.