2027: Tinubu Deserves Second Term For Taking Difficult Decisions, Says Wike

By Our Correspondent, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu deserves re-election in 2027 for taking difficult economic decisions that previous administrations avoided.

Wike spoke during a media parley in Abuja on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, according to a statement sent to Truth Live News International by Rabi Musa Umar, Deputy Director, Press, in the Office of the FCT Minister.

The Minister said Tinubu had demonstrated the courage and leadership required to address Nigeria’s longstanding economic and infrastructural challenges, insisting that the administration’s reforms justified support for a second term.

Citing the removal of fuel subsidy, Wike argued that the decision had increased the resources available to state governments to provide infrastructure, pay salaries and meet pension obligations.

“We have had presidents who identified these problems, but they were unable to take a decision. Nigeria requires strong leadership,” he said.

“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.”

Wike also credited the administration with improved stability in education and the payment of pensioners. However, his remarks about uninterrupted schooling were made alongside separate comments on the ongoing teachers’ strike in the FCT.

Addressing complaints about hardship, the Minister said economic recovery required difficult choices and could not produce immediate results in the manner of an instant remedy.

“I have told people, turning around the economy is not like prayer for a sick person. A sick man comes to the prophet or the native doctor, the man prays and a miracle may happen immediately,” he said.

“The economy requires leadership that will take critical decisions that are difficult for people to easily accept.”

On the presidential campaign council, Wike defended the inclusion of politicians from outside the All Progressives Congress, saying support for Tinubu extended beyond the ruling party.

He identified Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo; Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke; and himself as figures contributing to the President’s re-election effort across party lines.

“The President in his wisdom has said there are those who are not members of our party but have something to offer,” Wike said.

“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.”

The Minister dismissed concerns that the arrangement could confuse voters, arguing that political leaders should acknowledge performance irrespective of party affiliation.

“The time has come to end the situation where, because you are in an opposition party, you say the man in charge has not done well. That is not fair,” he stated.

“For us, whether anybody likes it or not, we think that the President has done well.”

Wike also rejected suggestions that politicians supporting Tinubu must formally defect to the APC, questioning whether votes from the ruling party alone would be sufficient to secure victory.

“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.

“I have told my supporters to support the President. Is there any conflict? I have never hidden my support for the President.”

Speaking on the FCT, Wike expressed confidence that infrastructure projects and engagement with rural communities would translate into electoral support for Tinubu.

He said the President had directed him from the outset to extend the administration’s attention beyond the city centre and engage residents of the territory’s rural communities.

“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 recalled.

The Minister said his administration had provided two police stations and residences for Divisional Police Officers in each Area Council. He added that several projects in the satellite towns, including the Apo–Karshi Road, were expected to be inaugurated before December.

According to him, FCT stakeholders had endorsed the President in recognition of the administration’s work.

“My fight now is for other parties not to have up to 25 percent in FCT,” Wike declared. “The people are saying, ‘You’ve done well, and we will give you back.’ That is why I say we have won.”

On traditional institutions, the Minister said certificates and paraphernalia of office for newly upgraded traditional rulers had been signed and would be presented shortly.

Addressing the teachers’ strike, Wike accused the Nigeria Labour Congress leadership of pursuing political motives, while maintaining that the dispute would be resolved through lawful means.

“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.

The Minister also criticised former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, challenging him to account for state resources committed to projects that Wike alleged were either abandoned or never materialised.

Turning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Wike dismissed the suggestion that a candidate could command an entire region’s support simply because of regional identity. He maintained that performance and a demonstrable record of service would determine voters’ choices.

“What will attract people to vote for you is good governance and what you have done on the ground,” he said.

On Rivers State, Wike said he and Governor Siminalayi Fubara had reconciled and were working towards shared political objectives, including support for the President.

“Governor Fubara is fully a member, fully playing his part, and contributing his part. Because we are all one, we have forgiven each other and come together. We and Fubara are working together,” he said.

“Whether he is running or not, what is important to him is that his political family will retain power.”