Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged voters in Rivers State to support President Bola Tinubu’s reforms ahead of the 2027 general elections, while taking a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, former governors of Anambra and Rivers State respectively.
Wike made the appeal at a Rainbow Coalition town-hall meeting in Ogba-Ndoni-Egbema- Local Government Area( ONELGA), saying the country needs continuity to sustain a difficult but necessary economy.
He argued that the Tinubu administration’s reforms, though painful for many Nigerians, are needed to repair an economy he said was in poor condition before the president took office.
“Only the continuation of the economic reforms initiated by the Tinubu government can bring this country back from the economic coma it was in before this present administration took over,” Wike said.
The Minister said the government’s tough decisions had proved correct his earlier appeal to Rivers residents before the 2023 elections.
He warned voters against supporting politicians he described as repeatedly seeking the presidency without a clear record or direction.
“Do not put your destiny into the hands of political gamblers or kalo-kalo players,” he said, referring to Atiku Abubakar.
Wike also questioned Obi’s political consistency and public engagements, saying leaders should be judged by their policies and performance rather than appearances.
“People should pick a stance and tell themselves: ‘This is who I am,’ not changing like a chameleon,” he said.
“Tinubu is the person who has shown true direction”, Wike added.
Referring to Amaechi, Wike challenged the former governor to explain how he managed Rivers State resources from 2007 to 2015.
He said voters should ask politicians seeking higher office what they achieved in previous positions.
Wike said the Rainbow Coalition aims to mobilize support for Tinubu and All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 presidential and legislative elections.
He argued that cooperation between the executive and legislature would help the government carry out its policies and maintain its reform agenda.
“I want total mobilisation on the 16th of January 2027,” he said.
“Everybody mobilised, make sure we vote and win decisively to protect our collective future”, he said.
Earlier, the FCT Minister visited the palace of the Oba of Ogbaland, Nwachukwu Obuoha-Obi III, in Omoku, where he sought support for the president.
He acknowledged that traditional rulers are expected to stay out of partisan politics but said political choices affect the peace and development of their communities.
The traditional ruler backed Tinubu’s leadership, saying unity and cooperation are important for Ogbaland and Nigeria.
He called for policies that promote economic growth and give local communities a stronger voice in national affairs.
The chairman of ONELGA, Chukwu Shedrack, praised Wike for local projects, including roads, hospital improvements and training programs.
He said the council is organizing residents ahead of the elections and pledged full support for Tinubu and APC candidates.
“Come the 2027 general elections, ONELGA people will deliver 100 per cent, from President to National Assembly and House of Assembly; no vote will drop,” Shedrack said.
