Nyesom Wike says support from opposition figures, including Chukwuma Soludo and Ademola Adeleke, shows Tinubu’s appeal beyond the APC ahead of 2027
Wike Names Soludo, Adeleke in Tinubu’s Camp, Fires Back at Opposition Ahead of 2027
By Lukman OMIKUNLE
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has defended the involvement of opposition figures in President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign, saying the development demonstrates the President’s appeal beyond the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Wike made the remarks during his media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, citing Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and himself as examples of politicians outside the APC who are supporting Tinubu’s re-election bid.
He argued that political affiliation should not prevent Nigerians from backing a presidential candidate they believe deserves another term, insisting that national interest should take precedence over party loyalty.
“The President in his wisdom has said there are those who are not members of our party but have something to offer,” Wike said.
He added, “You can see Prof. Soludo, Governor of Anambra State, who is the coordinator for Anambra State. You can see Adeleke in Osun, and then my humble self coordinating for Rivers and the FCT. So, it’s not necessarily an APC thing.
“There are those who are ready for the President to be re-elected to continue the good work he is doing for Nigeria, and we are happy to be part of it.”
The former Rivers State governor dismissed suggestions that opposition politicians supporting Tinubu would create confusion within their parties, arguing that political leaders could support a presidential candidate without formally joining the party sponsoring him.
“The major thing is Mr President. Why would anybody say there is a problem there? There is no confusion,” he said.
Wike also challenged the argument that only APC members should support the President, questioning whether opposition voters should be prevented from backing Tinubu in the next election.
“Are you saying those in the opposition who want to support the President should not support him? Is that Governor telling me that only APC votes will make the President win?” he asked.
The minister defended Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the petrol subsidy, arguing that the President had taken difficult decisions avoided by previous administrations.
According to Wike, subsidy removal has increased the funds available to state governments for infrastructure development and the payment of salaries and pensions.
“We have had presidents who identified these problems, but they were unable to take a decision. Nigeria requires strong leadership,” he said.
He added, “Take subsidy, for example: a lot of people advised against it, but he said, ‘I will do it; if I don’t do it, Nigeria will crumble.’ That decision has made funds available for sub-national governments to provide infrastructure and pay salaries.”
Acknowledging complaints about the rising cost of living and economic hardship, Wike argued that economic recovery required difficult policy decisions rather than immediate solutions.
“The economy requires leadership that will take critical decisions that are difficult for people to easily accept,” he said.
Turning to the FCT, the minister expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure substantial support in the territory in 2027, citing infrastructure projects and engagements with residents across its six area councils.
Wike said the FCT administration had constructed two police stations and residences for Divisional Police Officers in each area council. He also said the long-awaited Apo-Karshi Road and other projects in satellite towns were expected to be commissioned before December.
“Nothing makes people happier than when you communicate with them. Right from day one, the President said, ‘Don’t just be a Minister of FCT by staying in the city; go to the rural areas and talk with them,’” he said.
The minister claimed that FCT stakeholders had endorsed Tinubu’s re-election bid and expressed confidence that the President would perform strongly in the territory.
“My fight now is for other parties not to have up to 25 per cent in FCT. We have won,” Wike said.
He also challenged opposition politicians to present their records in public office ahead of the 2027 elections, specifically calling on former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi to account for projects executed and public resources managed during his tenure.
Wike further dismissed suggestions that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar could secure victory by relying on support from northern Nigeria, arguing that candidates should not assume voters in any region would automatically support them.
“What will attract people to vote for you is good governance and what you have done on the ground,” he said.
On the ongoing teachers’ strike in the FCT, Wike accused the leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress of politicising the dispute, while promising that his administration would address the matter within the law.
“The time has come that we must stop this blackmail. You can’t continue to blackmail us. If we are owing you, that’s a different thing, but this strike is political,” he said.
He added, “We will solve it, within the ambience of the rule of law.”
The minister also said his political differences with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara had been resolved, describing their relationship as part of a broader political reconciliation.
“Because we are all one, we have forgiven each other and come together. We and Fubara are working together,” Wike said.
His comments come as political alignments and mobilisation efforts gather pace ahead of the 2027 general election, with the extent to which cross-party support translates into votes likely to remain a key issue in the emerging campaign.
