Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says Rivers is leading other states in mobilising support for the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027.

Mr Wike stated this during the inauguration of senatorial and local government coordinators of Renewed Hope Ambassadors, in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The minister, in a statement by his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, said that the event was organised in support of Mr Tinubu’s administration, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He maintained that Rivers State was setting the pace in political mobilisation and that it would continue to lead others in demonstrating support for the president.

Mr Wike added, “I know after today, other states may inaugurate their own structures, but Rivers State will always lead the way. Support is not by mouth; we have shown commitment with action.”

The former Rivers State governor said that political activities ahead of coming elections had officially commenced, adding that ward-level inauguration of the ambassadors would follow soon.

Mr Wike, who questioned the state government’s commitment to supporting Mr Tinubu ahead of 2027 said, “You cannot have a governor in the state, while we are openly declaring support for President Tinubu and he is not aligning.”

“How then do you expect a reward?” Mr Wike stated.

He argued that political reward is tied to commitment, not financial contribution, stressing, “You don’t need N600 billion, all you need is commitment. That is what brings reward, even if it brings envy.”

The minister explained that the event was a rainbow coalition effort and thanked Mr Tinubu for supporting the coalition in producing candidates for the February 21 by-elections in Khana State Constituency II and Ahoada West State Constituency II.

He urged the electorate to come out en masse on February 21 and vote for the two candidates irrespective of political party affiliations.

The Coordinator of Renewed Hope Ambassadors in the state,  Desmond Akawor, thanked supporters of both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) for coming out in large numbers to show support for Mr Tinubu.

In his remarks, Senator George Sekibo, who spoke on behalf of federal political appointees, assured Mr Tinubu of continued support from Rivers State.

Mr Sekibo particularly thanked the president for the laudable appointments and projects in the state.

According to him, no president has embarked on projects of such magnitude in the state, while also appointing Rivers State indigenes into various positions.

“Tell the president we are grateful,” Mr Sekibo said.

Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, who spoke on behalf of the National Assembly Caucus, equally reaffirmed support for Tinubu and endorsed his re-election bid.

“What we did in 2023,  we will do better in 2027. Politics is give and take,” Mr Chinda said.

Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule and a former state Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Felix Obuah, also pledged support for Mr Tinubu,

On their part, the PDP and APC chairmen in Rivers State, Aaron Chukwuemeka and Tony Okocha, respectively, assured that the parties were fully mobilising ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

(NAN)