President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is reportedly considering a specific assignment for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as preparations intensify for the 2027 presidential election.
Under the proposed arrangement, Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, is expected to coordinate Tinubu’s campaign activities in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, areas where he has repeatedly asserted strong political influence. The plan would enable the President’s campaign to utilise Wike’s existing political structures without requiring him to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC). (ThisDayLive)
Wike remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), although he has publicly declared his support for Tinubu’s bid to secure another term in office. He has consistently maintained that backing the President does not require him to become an APC member or occupy a position within the party’s formal campaign hierarchy. (Business Times)
The reported arrangement comes amid disagreements between Wike and some APC governors over the structure through which support for Tinubu should be mobilised. APC governors, led by Imo State Governor and Progressive Governors Forum Chairman, Hope Uzodimma, have distanced themselves from the Rainbow Coalition promoted by Wike. (Punch Newspapers)
Wike has previously rejected suggestions that he was interested in becoming Director-General of Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council. Following the appointment of former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari as campaign council Director-General, Wike said his priority was to concentrate on securing support for Tinubu in Rivers and the FCT rather than pursuing a national campaign position. (Channels TV)
The minister has also argued that occupying a senior campaign office is less important than delivering electoral support in one’s political base. In previous remarks, he said his concern was to ensure that Tinubu performs strongly in Rivers and the FCT.
Wike has described himself as the “General Commander of the Political Infantry,” insisting that political influence does not necessarily depend on holding the office of governor. He has maintained that his political structures remain active in both Rivers and the FCT. (Premium Times)
His Rainbow Coalition has become another channel through which he is mobilising support for Tinubu. Wike has clarified that the coalition is separate from the APC and consists of political actors from different parties working toward the President’s re-election. (Premium Times)
Wike has also drawn a line between his support for Tinubu’s presidential bid and other electoral contests. He said his commitment is specifically focused on helping the President return to office, while politicians seeking governorship and legislative positions should handle their individual campaigns.
Meanwhile, Yari is expected to retain his position as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council. Reports indicate that the campaign structure may not operate through one uniform chain of command, with senior figures such as Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau reportedly not expected to report directly to Yari. (ThisDayLive)
The proposed role for Wike would therefore give him a defined responsibility within Tinubu’s wider 2027 campaign effort while allowing him to retain his PDP membership and operate outside the formal APC hierarchy.
