WIKE WARNS APC GOVERNORS: DELIVER YOUR STATES OR DON’T CLAIM VICTORY

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned governors and other members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council against claiming victory in the 2027 presidential election if they fail to deliver their respective states to President Bola Tinubu.

The Wike warns APC governors deliver states admonition came on Wednesday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, where Wike was appointed coordinator for the FCT and Rivers State.

THE WARNING

Wike was blunt in his assessment of what would constitute success in 2027.

“I want to say, if you don’t deliver your states and the president wins, don’t say we’ve won. It’s not a question of whether I am chairman, secretary or member of this. What is important is for the president to win,” he said .

He used Lagos State as an example, directing his remarks at the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives.

“I told the Chief of Staff to the President, if the president doesn’t win in Lagos, don’t say we’ve won,” he added.

Wike said positions within the campaign structure were irrelevant; what mattered was delivering votes for the President.

“It is not a question of I am chairman of this, I’m secretary of this, I’m a member of this,” he said.

THE PLEDGE

Wike, who was assigned to coordinate the campaign in Rivers State and the FCT, promised to deliver both territories for Tinubu. “By the grace of God, Rivers and FCT will vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is my joy. I have only two assignments, Rivers and FCT,” he said.

THE BROADER MESSAGE

Wike also praised Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for attending the inauguration, saying their presence reflected the support Tinubu was receiving ahead of the election.

He defended the administration’s record, arguing that previous governments had identified the country’s problems but failed to provide solutions .He challenged FCT area council officials to dispute the impact of Tinubu’s administration in the nation’s capital.

“I challenge any area council that can say they don’t feel the impact of Mr President in Abuja,” he said.

THE PDP CONTEXT

Speaking on his political position within the Peoples Democratic Party, Wike maintained that he is the leader and that no faction exists within the party.

“As an opposition party member, as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, there are no two leaders of the PDP,” he said .

Wike’s dual role, serving as FCT Minister in an APC-led government while remaining a PDP member remains one of the most unusual political arrangements in Nigeria.

His appointment as coordinator for Tinubu’s campaign in Rivers and the FCT formalises his role in the re-election effort despite his party affiliation.

WHY IT MATTERS

Wike’s warning is a signal that the APC campaign will be judged by results, not by titles. It places pressure on governors and party leaders to deliver their states, and it frames the 2027 election as a test of the ruling party’s grassroots strength.

The warning also reflects an understanding within the APC that winning the presidency is not enough.

If the party loses key states, including Lagos, the President’s political base, the victory would be diminished.

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For Wike, the assignment to deliver Rivers and the FCT is both an opportunity and a test. If he succeeds, he will have demonstrated his political value to the Tinubu administration. If he fails, the questions about his influence will grow louder.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Wike has warned APC governors to deliver their states. The 2027 election is scheduled for January and February 2027.