FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has again declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for another term in 2027, saying his immediate political focus is on helping the President return to office.
Wike made the clarification on Monday while inspecting several ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, including the ISEX 2 corridor, Southern Parkway and the road connecting Nile University with Ring Road 3.
According to the minister, his position on Tinubu’s re-election has remained consistent since the beginning of the administration.
He said, “My concern is that the President will be re-elected for the second term. That is my concern. And I made that known from the onset that I was going to support Mr President with all my might and strength.”
Wike also addressed the controversy surrounding the Rainbow Coalition, dismissing suggestions that the group was created to challenge or weaken the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He explained that the coalition was intended to bring together APC members and Nigerians from outside the party who support Tinubu’s continued presidency.
“We said all our party members, all those like-minds who are not APC members, to please ensure that they support Mr. President,” he said.
The development has generated debate within the APC, with some party leaders and governors expressing concerns over political arrangements outside the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Wike, however, denied that his involvement in the coalition was linked to a possible presidential ambition in 2031. He argued that it was impossible to predict the political situation several years from now.
The minister said political plans would depend on circumstances at the time, adding that even staying politically relevant in the future would first depend on being alive.
He also questioned the basis of claims that he was already preparing for a 2031 presidential campaign, asking which political party he would even be positioning himself within.
Wike further suggested that Tinubu would have an interest in the question of succession after his tenure, stressing that future political developments could not be predetermined.
The FCT minister also disclosed that he would speak publicly about what he described as the hidden issues surrounding the opposition to the Rainbow Coalition.
“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 said.
Wike Inspects Abuja Projects
During the inspection, Wike said he was encouraged by the progress of several major projects across the Federal Capital Territory.
He said the contractors handling the projects had renewed their commitments to deliver them within the timelines set by the administration.
Wike explained that his inspections were part of efforts to monitor projects promised to Abuja residents and ensure that contractors remained focused on meeting their deadlines before the 2027 elections.
He said CGC had assured the FCT administration that the High Court project would be completed and handed over in December.
The minister also spoke about the second bridge around Gaduwa, explaining that persistent rainfall had affected the start of extensive earthworks. He said construction activity was expected to increase once the rains reduce.
At the Nile University–Ring Road 3 project, Wike said he was more satisfied with the pace of work than during his previous inspection.
He disclosed that CCECC had given a fresh commitment to complete and hand over the road project by the first week of January.
Wike said the latest assurances from the contractors had reduced his concerns about delays and expressed confidence that the projects would be delivered within the agreed timelines.
