I don’t need APC campaign council position to deliver Tinubu’s votes — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed concerns over his exclusion from the recently inaugurated All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential campaign council, saying he values electoral delivery over political titles.

Wike spoke on Saturday after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in the FCT. He also reflected on his three years in office and his political strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“I am not a member of the APC,” Wike said. “And I am not interested in becoming Director-General of the party’s presidential campaign council. Holding that position does not automatically translate into electoral success.”

The Minister argued that previous campaign DGs failed to deliver their own states despite their prominent roles.

He cited former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, and former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong.

“In 2015, Amaechi was governor of Rivers State. He was DG of Muhammadu Buhari. Before you know it, I pulled the carpet off his feet. He lost. He didn’t get 25 percent,” Wike said.

“In 2019, he was Minister of Transport. He became the DG. He lost the state too.”

He added: “In 2023, Aminu Tambuwal became DG of Atiku. He lost his state. In the same 2023, Lalong was the DG of the President. He lost his state.”

Wike said his focus would remain on where he can make the most impact: Rivers State and the FCT.

“I don’t want to lose my state. I will be in my state. I have two states: FCT and Rivers State. What’s important is, are you able to deliver those two states?” he asked.

“Every politics is local. If you cannot deliver the president in your state, how would you say you want election? If you lose your own state, even if you’re a DG, you should be ashamed.”

The Minister also defended his performance as FCT Minister, saying his three years in office had produced visible changes despite challenges.

“I’m happy for these three years in office. Our team is committed to doing the job. Challenges have come. We’ve been able to surmount those challenges,” he said.

Wike thanked President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, and said the FCT Administration would soon publish a scorecard of projects.

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“We’re going to publish the projects that we inherited from the government of Olusegun Obasanjo, from 1999 to 2007. We’re also going to publish the one of Yar’Adua and Jonathan, and we’re also going to publish the one of Muhammadu Buhari,” he said.

“Then when we publish those ones we inherited and completed, we’ll also publish projects awarded by this present administration. So Nigerians will see for themselves.”

Wike’s comments come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, with parties and political actors beginning to position themselves for the presidential contest.

For the FCT Minister, however, political influence will ultimately be measured by the ability to deliver electoral support at the grassroots, not by occupying prominent positions in campaign organisations.