Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike says he will not lead President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign because he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike said the Wike 2027 campaign strategy would instead focus on securing support for Mr Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT.
He spoke on Saturday after inspecting the Apo-Karshi Road and Kubwa-Bwari Road projects in Abuja.
The comments followed the Presidency’s announcement of former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari as director-general of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
Wike said holding a senior campaign position did not necessarily guarantee political success.
He argued that politicians should first demonstrate their ability to deliver their home states.
“Political relevance is not about the position you hold in a campaign,” he said.
Wike referred to former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who served as campaign director-general for Muhammadu Buhari but lost Rivers State during the election.
He also mentioned former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Aminu Tambuwal and Simon Lalong as examples of politicians who faced electoral setbacks after taking prominent campaign roles.
Wike said he would not take a position that could put his political standing in Rivers State at risk.
Instead, he said his priority was to help Mr Tinubu secure victory in both Rivers and the FCT.
The minister also ruled out heading the APC campaign because he remains outside the party.
“I am not a member of APC. So the issue of their Presidential Campaign Council is out of the question,” he said.
However, Wike said he remained committed to supporting Mr Tinubu’s re-election bid, as he did in 2023.
He said his support would operate through a “Rainbow Coalition”, which he described as a cross-party alliance supporting the president while members remain in their respective political parties.
According to Wike, the arrangement is already operating in Kwara, Bayelsa, Rivers, Osun and Benue states.
The Wike 2027 campaign position therefore keeps his support for Mr Tinubu separate from the APC’s formal campaign structure.
