The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says securing the re-election of President Bola Tinubu in 2027 remains his primary political priority.
Wike stated this in Abuja on Monday while speaking to journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects in the territory.
He also dismissed claims that the cross-party Rainbow Coalition, which he is associated with, was established to destabilise existing political parties.
Wike described the allegations as baseless, saying the coalition was focused on supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
“My primary concern is whether Tinubu will be re-elected for a second term, and I have made it known from the onset that I am going to support Mr President with all my might and strength,” he said.
The minister said the coalition was an open political initiative involving members of different parties and like-minded Nigerians.
“We have not gone to anyone to say they should not support anyone; rather, we asked all our party members and like-minded people who are not APC members to ensure they support Mr President,” he said.
Wike drew comparisons with the G5 governors’ political alignment during the 2023 elections, arguing that similar concerns were not raised at the time.
He questioned whether the G5 had destabilised the political system or prevented the APC from controlling the National Assembly after the 2023 elections.
The minister said he would later appear on TVC to provide further clarification on the controversy surrounding the Rainbow Coalition.
Wike also dismissed speculation that his current political activities were aimed at positioning himself for the presidency in 2031.
He said political succession beyond 2027 would depend on circumstances and the will of God.
“By 2031 Mr President will not run, and he will have interest in who will succeed him, and I will not be at loggerhead with his interest,” Wike said.
The minister recalled that he contested the 2022 presidential primary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he came second, but said his current political activities were not about positioning himself for 2031.
On the FCT projects, Wike said he was satisfied with the progress of work and expressed confidence that the projects would be completed within the agreed timelines.
He inspected the ongoing construction of the Inner Southern Expressway (ISEX), from Ring Road I to Ring Road II, as well as the service lanes of the Southern Parkway, from Arterial Road S20 in Gaduwa District to Ring Road II.
He also inspected the road construction linking Nile University with Ring Road III.
Wike said the contractors had committed to handing over the projects by December.
He said the FCT Administration would continue to monitor the projects to ensure compliance with agreed timelines and specifications.
