Precious Nwonu, Enugu
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to resign from office if President Bola Tinubu loses the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State in the 2027 presidential election.
Wike made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association, where he reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The minister said the presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, and pledged to announce his resignation the following day if Tinubu fails to secure victory in both the FCT and Rivers.
“The presidential election is on January 16, 2027. By January 17, 2027, I will announce my resignation as FCT Minister should the President lose in Rivers State and the FCT,” Wike said.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, said the FCT was particularly important to him because it was where he currently served, while Rivers remained his home state.
He said failure to deliver electoral support for Tinubu in the two areas would raise questions about his continued suitability as FCT minister.
“FCT is where I work. Rivers is my state. If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,” he said.
Wike also disclosed that a multi-party political coalition was being mobilised in the FCT ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said the coalition, which he referred to as the “Rainbow Coalition,” included members of different political parties who were backing Tinubu for the presidency.
The minister also endorsed candidates for legislative positions in the FCT and urged his supporters to work towards securing electoral victories for the candidates backed by the coalition.
Wike’s declaration comes as political parties and their supporters intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with the presidential poll scheduled for January 16, according to his remarks and reports of the event.
The minister also addressed the planned relocation of mechanics and traders operating around Apo, assuring them that arrangements were being made to move them to the Wasa informal sector by the end of the year.
He said physical enumeration of affected traders and mechanics was being conducted as part of preparations for the relocation.
Wike’s proposed resignation would take effect only if Tinubu fails to win both the FCT and Rivers State, based on the condition he publicly set at the Abuja meeting.
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