2027: Atiku, Amaechi, Obi not trustworthy –Wike
…Says ‘we’ll deliver Rivers, FCT for Tinubu’
BY STEPHEN GBADAMOSI
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said the main opposition presidential candidates and their deputies in the 2027 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, former Governors Rotimi Amaechi and Peter Obi cannot be trusted in the next year’s elections.
He also declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the Rainbow Coalition, would secure victory for President Bola Tinubu in the general elections.
Wike vowed to deliver massive votes for Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT, insisting that opposition threats and political intrigues would not derail the President’s re-election bid.
His media aide, Lere Olayinka, in a statement on Tuesday, said while addressing Rivers Rainbow Coalition Youths, in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the former Rivers State governor said the administration’s infrastructure projects and policy interventions had strengthened its appeal among Nigerians.
He maintained that political leaders should be judged by their performance and benefits to the people, not campaign promises.
Wike said the Rainbow Coalition was formed to support what he described as purposeful leadership and sustain development across the country.
He cited roads and bridges as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving Nigerians’ lives, particularly at the grassroots.
“We are not playing politics for the sake of it without bringing benefits to our people. After all, we are not looking for those who are fine or finer. We are looking for those who will do something that will positively impact Nigerians and the Rivers people,” he said.
The minister insisted that Rivers State’s political future ought to be determined by its people’s interests and the benefits they stood to gain from the Federal Government.
Wike, particularly, pointed out that no fewer than 49 indigenes of Rivers State currently held prominent Federal Government positions.
“What is important is: Where is Rivers State? Where are we going? And how will the election benefit Rivers State? That’s what we’re talking about,” he said.
Wike criticised opposition politicians, describing some as political gamblers who lacked consistency and had failed to demonstrate a clear commitment to voters, warning against supporting politicians who made promises without delivering tangible results.
“You cannot vote for a political gambler. Every time, they come around making empty promises, but our people know better now,” he said.
Wike expressed confidence that voters would assess candidates by their records and the practical impact of their policies, rather than political rhetoric.
At a meeting with Rivers Rainbow Coalition Youths, Wike criticised opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, questioning their credibility and suitability for the presidency.
He described Atiku as untrustworthy and called Obi a “fake man,” declaring that the coalition remained firmly behind Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Earlier, the APC governorship candidate, Kingsley Chinda, had promised a youth-friendly and inclusive government, with compulsory bursary payments by local government councils and improved technical education for young people.
He said the proposed administration would prioritise youth development, education and improved technical education for young people.
