Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says the people of Rivers have resolved to vote for President Bola Tinubu in the January 2027 presidential election, citing federal government projects and political appointments in the state.
Wike, who is the coordinator of the presidential campaign council in Rivers, spoke on Saturday while welcoming Tinubu and members of his delegation to the Adokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt for the president’s campaign rally.
He described the turnout at the stadium, which he said has a seating capacity of more than 40,000, as evidence of the state’s support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“Your Excellency, this is Rivers state’s rally. We did not mobilise anybody from any other state. You can see with your eyes that the people of Rivers state have already concluded and agreed that on January 16, they will vote for you,” he said.
Wike described Tinubu as a political ally of Rivers people, saying the president has demonstrated his commitment to the state through federal projects and political appointments.
He cited the completion of the Bonny-Bodo road, the establishment of the Federal University of Environment in Ogoniland, and what he said were at least 47 political appointments given to Rivers indigenes.
“Since the inception of democracy in 1999, Rivers people have never had it this way. We have no less than 47 political appointments from Mr President. So, who is our brother? Our brother is Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has identified with the people of Rivers state,” he said.
WIKE CHALLENGES AMAECHI OVER PROJECTS
The FCT minister also criticised Rotimi Amaechi, former Rivers governor and vice-presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), challenging him to visit the state and account for projects and financial transactions allegedly undertaken during his stint in office.
Wike questioned the outcome of an alleged fumigation exercise in Rivers, saying it had failed to eliminate mosquitoes.
“All we are saying to the vice-presidential candidate is, please, come and give an account of how you fumigated Rivers state. You fumigated Rivers state so that there would be no mosquitoes. Have mosquitoes gone? Are mosquitoes not biting you?” he asked.
He also challenged Amaechi to explain the status of the Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital project, alleging that $39 million had been paid for its construction.
“Come and tell us where Karibi Whyte Specialist Hospital project is, where we paid $39 million. If you convert it today, it is not less than N53 billion. Come and show us where the foundation is,” he queried.
The FCT minister also recalled Amaechi’s role as director-general of the presidential campaigns of former President Muhammadu Buhari, claiming that the APC candidate failed to secure up to 15 percent of the votes in Rivers state in the 2015 and 2019 presidential elections.