By Emmanuel Thomas, Wednesday, Sept 30, 2026
ABUJA, Nigeria – Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will immediately step down from his cabinet position if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to win the 2027 presidential election in both Rivers State and the FCT.
Wike made the pledge on Wednesday during a strategic engagement with executive members and leaders of the Apo Traders and Mechanics Association in Abuja.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister emphasized that his presence in the cabinet must reflect tangible political performance, describing Rivers State as his political stronghold and Abuja as his primary operational domain.
”If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,” Wike stated. “If I lose FCT, I’m not supposed to be FCT Minister. The presidential election is on January 16, 2027. By January 17, 2027, I will announce my resignation as FCT Minister should the President lose in Rivers State and the FCT.”
The Minister further disclosed that a cross-party coalition is being structured across the territory to support President Tinubu’s re-election alongside designated National Assembly candidates. He reiterated that delivering key electoral blocks in both his home state and the nation’s capital remains non-negotiable.
1. The 2023 Electoral Precedent in FCT and Rivers
Wike’s bold commitment directly confronts the political dynamics of the 2023 presidential election:
The FCT Challenge: In 2023, the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, secured a landslide victory in the FCT with over 61% of the vote, while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) came second. Wike’s vow to deliver the FCT in 2027 represents a major bid to reclaim the territory for the ruling party.
The Rivers State Factor: Rivers State proved crucial in the 2023 election, where Wike, then serving as Governor under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), led the G5 coalition of dissenting governors. The electoral results in Rivers contributed significantly to President Tinubu’s overall victory, establishing Wike as a pivotal political power broker.
2. Cross-Party Role and Political Friction
Appointed by President Tinubu in August 2023, Wike is one of the few opposition party leaders serving in the APC-led Federal Executive Council.
His dual political identity has caused ongoing friction within his party, the PDP, which has faced internal divisions over his alliance with the administration. By publicly tying his tenure as FCT Minister to Tinubu’s 2027 re-election, Wike reinforces his political commitment to the President despite ongoing party tensions.
