RismadarVoice Reporters
September 21, 2026
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has again declared his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027, saying his Rainbow Coalition is not an alternative structure of the All Progressives Congress.
Wike spoke on Monday while inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, including the ISEX 2 project, Southern Parkway and the road linking Nile University to Ring Road 3 in Lugbe.
The former Rivers State governor said his immediate political priority was to mobilise support for Tinubu’s re-election, noting that he had made his position clear from the beginning.
“My concern is that the President will be re-elected for a second term. That is my concern. And I made that known from the onset that I was going to support Mr President with all my might and strength,” Wike said.
His comments came amid growing disagreements between supporters of the Rainbow Coalition and some APC governors over the role and structure of the political platform.
Wike has consistently described the coalition as a cross-party movement intended to mobilise support for Tinubu, rather than an APC structure.
He said the coalition would bring together APC members as well as individuals from other political parties who support the President’s re-election.
“We said all our party members, like-minded like-minds who are not APC members, to please ensure that they support Mr President,” he said.
The minister’s position is, however, at odds with concerns expressed by some APC stakeholders, who have warned against the emergence of political structures that could weaken the party or conflict with its candidates in the 2027 elections.
Wike also rejected speculation that his activities were aimed at positioning himself for the 2031 presidential election.
According to him, political ambitions beyond 2027 would depend on circumstances that could only be determined in the future.
“You know, people take the position of God. First of all, you have to pray that you are alive. You must ask God, ‘Keep me alive till tomorrow,’ or ‘Keep me alive till the next day.’ When God keeps you alive, you know what to do,” he said.
The minister also referred to his participation in the 2022 PDP presidential primary, where he finished second, saying the experience had given him insight into Nigeria’s political dynamics.
Responding to questions about whether he was already preparing for 2031, Wike asked: “So, am I positioning myself… in which of the parties am I positioning myself to?”
He further suggested that the eventual choice of Tinubu’s successor would involve the President having an interest in the process.
Wike also said he would explain what he described as the “undertones” behind opposition to the Rainbow Coalition during a television appearance.
“You will hear it today. What is the real cry about the Rainbow Coalition, then? undertone. Nigerians don’t understand that there are undertones about it, and we’ll let the cat out of the bag so that Nigerians will be well-informed,” he said.
Away from the political controversy, Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of several major infrastructure projects in Abuja.
He said contractors had renewed their commitment to completing and handing over projects before the 2027 general elections.
According to the minister, the inspection was part of efforts to monitor projects promised to residents of the Federal Capital Territory and ensure that contractors meet agreed delivery timelines.
Wike said he was particularly satisfied with the progress of work on some of the projects inspected.
He disclosed that CGC had reaffirmed its commitment to completing and handing over the High Court project by December.
On the second bridge around the Gaduwa axis, the minister said construction work would intensify after the rainy season.
“The second bridge is ongoing, and they have said that, but for the heavy downpours, they would have started the earthworks. However, by the time the rain subsides, they will start heavy earthwork and still promise that to be completed before the elections,” he said.
At the Nile University–Ring Road 3 project, Wike said he was encouraged by the improvement in the pace of construction compared with his previous inspection.
He said the contractor, CCECC, had committed to completing and handing over the project in the first week of January.
“I must say the management has committed by the tself that latest first week of January; they would have also handed over this project. So, I’m very, very happy that we are on schedule, on course,” Wike said.
The minister said the renewed commitments by the contractors had eased his concerns over delays, adding that he expected them to meet the agreed deadlines.
