Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has explained why he could not have served as Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, saying he would not risk losing his political strongholds while campaigning for the president.
Wike spoke on Saturday after inspecting the Apo-Karshi and Kubwa-Bwari roads in Abuja, a day after the Presidency announced the composition of the APC Presidential Campaign Council and appointed former Zamfara State Governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari as Director-General.
Wike Cites Previous Campaign Directors
Wike said he was not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and suggested that taking on the campaign director-general position could expose him to the risk of losing political support in areas where he has influence.
He recalled the experiences of previous presidential campaign directors who, according to him, lost their states while leading national campaigns.
“In 2015, the Minister of Transport was the governor of Rivers. He was the DG of Muhammadu Buhari. Before you knew, I pulled the carpet off his feet. He lost. He didn’t get 25 percent,” Wike said.
He was referring to former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who served as Director-General of Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 presidential campaign.
Wike Recalls 2019 and 2023 Elections
Wike also referenced the 2019 election, when Amaechi served as a minister and campaign director for Buhari, while former Senate President Bukola Saraki led Atiku Abubakar’s campaign.
“In 2019, he was Minister of Transport, he became the DG, and he lost his state too. Bukola Saraki was the DG of Atiku campaign in 2019. He was running around doing ‘Atikulated’,” Wike said.
He added that Saraki also lost his home state and his senatorial seat.
Wike further cited former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who served as Director-General of Atiku’s 2023 presidential campaign.
“In 2023, Aminu Tambuwal became DG of Atiku. He lost his state!” he said.
Wike Chooses State and FCT Politics
The FCT minister’s comments came as the APC formally set up its campaign structure for the 2027 presidential election, with Yari appointed Director-General and Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma named Secretary.
Wike has remained politically aligned with President Tinubu despite retaining his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following his appointment as FCT minister.
His latest remarks suggest that he prefers to concentrate on maintaining his political influence in Rivers State and the FCT rather than taking on a formal leadership position in the APC’s national campaign structure.
