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Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he will resign from office if President Bola Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election in the FCT and Rivers State.
Wike made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja during a meeting with members of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association over their planned relocation to Wasa by the end of the year.
The minister said his continued stay in the Federal Executive Council would depend on his ability to deliver electoral support for Tinubu in the FCT and his home state.
Wike said he would take personal responsibility for the outcome, describing himself as a practical politician who believes in accountability.
“The presidential election is on Jan. 16, 2027. By Jan. 17, 2027, I will announce my resignation as FCT minister should the president lose in Rivers and the FCT,” he said.
He argued that failure to secure victory for Tinubu in either territory would amount to a failure of his political leadership.
“FCT is where I work. Rivers is my state. If I cannot deliver where I work, then I’m not worthy to be here,” Wike said.
He added that he would have no justification to remain in office if he could not secure support for the President in the two territories.
“If I lose FCT, I have no business being the minister. If I go back to my state and the president cannot win, then why am I shouting about president when I cannot win?
“If I don’t deliver this, remove me here. I will accept it,” he said.
Wike also disclosed that his Rainbow Coalition was being consolidated across the FCT ahead of the 2027 elections.
He declared his support for Tinubu for the presidency and Philip Aduda for the Senate, while urging members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), other political parties and residents to support the coalition’s candidates.
“Let us be clear on direction: for the presidency, it is Bola Tinubu! For the Senate, Philip Aduda. He is a man of the people,” Wike said.
The minister urged the Apo mechanics and traders to mobilise residents, family members and other members of the business community to participate in the election.
He also assured the traders that arrangements for their relocation to Wasa would be completed by the end of the year.
Responding, Chairman of the Apo Trades Association, Chief Chimezie Efe, commended Wike for what he described as improvements in infrastructure around the Apo business community.
Efe specifically cited the dualisation of the Apo Road, saying the project had improved access to the area and boosted business activities.
He pledged the support of members of the association for the APC, saying, “The entire members of the Apo Traders Association have agreed that our votes go to APC.”
Similarly, the Coordinating Chairman of the Apo Mechanics and Traders Unity Forum, Chinedu Nweke, praised Wike for engaging directly with the traders and advancing the planned relocation project.
Nweke also credited the dualised road with improving economic activities in Apo Mechanic Village and said the group would support the minister’s direction ahead of the 2027 elections.
