Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said his immediate political focus is supporting President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike made the statement on Monday in Abuja while speaking with journalists after inspecting several ongoing road construction projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister also rejected claims that the Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political grouping with which he is associated, was formed to weaken or destabilise existing political parties.
Describing the allegations as “baseless”, Wike said the coalition was intended to bring together people from different political backgrounds who support the Tinubu administration.
He said his principal political objective at present was to work towards Tinubu’s re-election and the continuation of his administration beyond 2027.
“My primary concern is whether Tinubu will be re-elected for a second term, and I have made it known from the onsets that I am going to support Mr President with all my might and strength,” he said.
Wike said he was unconcerned by the various allegations surrounding the coalition but expressed disappointment that some people had characterised it as a threat to political parties.
“I am not bothered about what accusations people make, but it is very disappointing to hear some people say the rainbow coalition will destabilise the party,” Wike said.
According to the minister, the coalition was not asking anyone to abandon their political affiliations or preventing individuals from supporting other political interests.
Rather, he said, its members and other Nigerians who share their position were being encouraged to support the President.
“We have not gone to anyone to say they should not support anyone; rather, we asked all our party members and like-minded people who are not APC members to ensure they support Mr President,” he said.
Wike also drew comparisons with the G5 governors, a group of five Peoples Democratic Party governors who took a distinct political position ahead of the 2023 general elections.
He questioned why similar concerns about destabilising political parties were not raised during the activities of the G5.
“Looking back at 2023 when it was the G5, why did nobody complain that it would destabilise the party? Did the President not win? Did it affect the APC-controlled National Assembly?” he asked.
While acknowledging that the G5 may have enjoyed some political advantage from its position, Wike said that did not explain what he described as the current opposition to the Rainbow Coalition.
“You can argue that it gave them an advantage, but that is not the real cause of the outcry today. There are undertones to this,” Wike said.
The FCT minister disclosed that he was scheduled to appear on TVC later on Monday to offer further explanations concerning the coalition and the controversy surrounding it.
Wike also addressed speculation that his current political alignment was motivated by an ambition to contest the presidency in 2031.
He said such plans could not be determined in advance, stressing that the first consideration was being alive to participate in future political contests.
“People are taking the position of God. First of all, you have to pray to be alive—asking God to keep you alive until tomorrow or the next day. Only when God keeps you alive will you know what to do,” he said.
Wike recalled his participation in the 2022 presidential primary, where he finished second, saying his experience had given him an understanding of the complexities of Nigerian politics.
He also acknowledged that Tinubu would have an interest in determining his preferred successor after completing his tenure, while noting that the ultimate outcome remained in God’s hands.
“By 2031 Mr President will not run and he will have interest in who will succeed him, and I will not be at loggerhead with his interest,” Wike said.
Speaking on infrastructure development in the FCT, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress and quality of work on the projects inspected.
He said the projects were expected to be completed before the January 2027 general elections.
The minister inspected the ongoing construction of the Inner Southern Expressway linking Ring Road I with Ring Road II, the service lanes of the Southern Parkway from Arterial Road S20 in Gaduwa District to Ring Road II, as well as the road connecting Nile University to Ring Road III.
Wike commended the contractors for the standard of work and assured residents that the Tinubu administration remained committed to delivering on its infrastructure promises.
(Ripples)
