Monday, September 21, 2026

2027 election will be easiest for me in Rivers, Wike boasts

Mr Wike said his political strength stems from his track record and direct connection with the people. 

• September 21, 2026
Wike inaugurating project Credit: Punch
Nyesom Wike [Credit: Punch Newspaper]

The Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has boasted that the forthcoming 2027 elections will be the easiest for him in Rivers State.

Mr Wike, who boasted during his appearance on TVC on Monday, said his political strength stems from his track record and direct connection with the people rather than federal backing or political coalitions.

“Anybody telling you today that people are fighting me in Rivers and that it will be difficult brother, I have never had an election that has been easy, but this one will be the easiest election as far as I know. 

“The factors are clear. What are you going to tell Rivers people now? What will you present to them that will make them believe that following you will be more beneficial than what they have today?,” the minister stated.

Mr Wike further expressed unwavering confidence, boasting that 2027 would be his easiest political contest yet.

He recalled, “I started this game in 1999 as a local government chairman. In all my elections, it has never been easy. In 2015, they said it would be difficult; I won. In 2019, the federal might and soldiers were against me, yet I won.”

He also dismissed claims by the former Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the ‘Obidient’ movement that they won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers, asserting that their victories existed only in their imagination.

“They won in their imagination. I have always told people: they won in their imagination. Nobody declared them to have won. I have been in this system; I am in this game. When Obi went to the Timber Market or somewhere in Rivers State and they were shouting ‘Obi! Obi!’, is that how you win an election?,” Mr Wike added.

He faulted claims of victory based on isolated polling units, noting that Rivers possesses over 7,000 polling units across 23 local government areas.

“Out of over 7,000 polling units, until all results have come in, even if 200 polling units come out and say Obi or Atiku has won, it does not convince me. They went to the tribunal, were they able to tender or prove to the court that they won the election?

“You can win on social media, but I am not interested in social media winning. I am interested practically in the results on the ground, who won, and who was declared,” the minister noted.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Nyesom Wike and Peter Obi

NationWide

Obi, Obidient Movement won 2023 election on social media: Wike 

According to figures from INEC, Mr Obi came third in the 2023 presidential elections. 

Wike inaugurating project Credit: Punch

Heading 5

2027 election will be easiest for me in Rivers, Wike boasts

Mr Wike said his political strength stems from his track record and direct connection with the people. 

The Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS)

Diaspora

NIS undertakes passport intervention exercises for Nigerians in diaspora 

Mr Akinlabi said that the exercises were conducted in commitment to improving passport service delivery. 

Aliko Dangote

Economy

Dangote Refinery IPO reflects our long-term commitment to Africa’s industrial, economic transformation: Aliko Dangote

Mr Dangote revealed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery intends to seek a listing on the New York Stock Exchange.

Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo

States

Niger Miners’ Deaths: Independent committee set for inauguration Tuesday

Mr Tunji-Ojo described the deaths of the alleged illegal miners as deeply disturbing.

Afreximbank

Economy

Afreximbank, ATDC sign $500 million facility to expand African trade, distribution

ATDC currently runs local operations in Egypt, Nigeria, Malawi and Zimbabwe.