FCT Minister Says Coalition Will Determine Next Governor of Rivers State
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, will not secure up to 10 percent of votes in Rivers State during the 2027 presidential election.
Wike also expressed confidence that the next governor of Rivers State would emerge from the political alliance known as the Rainbow Coalition, insisting that no candidate outside the coalition would win the governorship contest.
The former Rivers State governor made the remarks on Saturday during a luncheon organised in honour of candidates of the Rainbow Coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The coalition comprises members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and Action Alliance (AA).
Speaking at the event, Wike said the coalition would collectively determine which of its candidates would eventually emerge as the preferred choice for the governorship race, dismissing speculation that any individual had already been endorsed.
He noted that the ADC and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) lacked electoral experience and would face a different reality during the 2027 elections.
According to him, if Atiku manages to secure more than 10 percent of votes in Rivers State, it would indicate that members of the coalition had failed to mobilise effectively.
“ADC and NDC have not participated in elections in a manner that demonstrates electoral strength. Elections require hard work, grassroots mobilisation, and commitment,” Wike said.
He argued that political loyalty should be measured by the ability to deliver votes rather than symbolic gestures, adding that electoral success comes from sustained engagement with voters.
Referencing the 2023 presidential election, Wike claimed Atiku failed to secure up to 10 percent of votes in Rivers State and maintained that the opposition candidate would not improve on that performance in 2027.
The FCT Minister further stated that the coalition had previously won elections under difficult circumstances and remained confident of repeating similar successes in future contests.
Wike also used the occasion to commend members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, led by Speaker Martin Amaewhule, for what he described as their commitment to upholding democratic principles during periods of political uncertainty in the state.
He praised the lawmakers for standing firm in defence of constitutional governance, noting that their actions would remain an important part of Rivers State’s political history.
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