The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has restated his commitment to President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027, clarifying that the Rainbow Coalition is set up to galvanize support for the President and not to destabilize the All Progressives Congress.
Wike stated this on Monday in Abuja while speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing projects, including the ISEX 2 project, the Southern Parkway project, and the road connecting Nile University to Ring Road 3 in Lugbe.
According to him, his main political focus ahead of 2027 is to ensure President Tinubu wins re-election.
“My concern is that the President will be re-elected for a second term. That is my concern. And I made it clear from the beginning that I will support Mr President with all my strength and might,” Wike said
His comments come amid tension between promoters of the Rainbow Coalition and APC governors over the intent of the platform. While Wike describes it as a broad-based movement to rally support for Tinubu across party lines, the APC Progressive Governors Forum has said it will not back any arrangement that could weaken the party or jeopardize its candidates in 2027.
Wike dismissed the criticism, noting that the coalition was meant to bring together APC members and other like-minded Nigerians who support the President.
“We said all our party members, all those like-minds who are not APC members, should ensure they support Mr President,” he added.
On speculations that he is positioning himself for the 2031 presidency, the minister said such talk was premature and dependent on the future.
“People take the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive. You must ask God to keep you alive till tomorrow. When God keeps you alive, then you know what to do,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor, who came second in the 2022 PDP presidential primary, said his political experience has given him insight into the country’s politics.
Responding to claims of eyeing 2031, he asked, “So, am I positioning myself… in which of the parties am I positioning myself to?” He added that President Tinubu would also have a say on who succeeds him.
Wike said he would reveal the real reasons behind the opposition to the Rainbow Coalition during a TV interview.
“You will hear it today. What is the real cry about the Rainbow Coalition, the undertone. Nigerians don’t understand that there are undertones about it, and we’ll let the cat out of the bag so that Nigerians will be well-informed,” he stated.
He maintained that the coalition has no formal ties with the APC and is only focused on mobilising cross-party support for Tinubu.
Meanwhile, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of road projects in the FCT, saying contractors have recommitted to delivering before the 2027 elections.
“I came back yesterday and, as usual, I have to go round to check the ongoing projects which were promised to residents of Abuja to be completed before the elections,” he said.
He noted that CGC has promised to hand over the High Court project by December, while work on the second bridge around Gaduwa will intensify after the rainy season.
“The second bridge is ongoing, and they have said but for the heavy downpours, they would have started the earthworks. However, by the time the rain subsides, they will start heavy earthwork and still promise that to be completed before the elections,” Wike said.
At the Nile University to Ring Road 3 site, he said CCECC has now assured that the road will be completed and handed over by the first week of January.
“I must say the management has committed itself that latest first week of January, they would have also handed over this project. So, I’m very, very happy that we are on schedule,” he said.
He added that the renewed assurances from the contractors have eased his previous concerns over delays.
