ABUJA — The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports that he is lobbying to become the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike, however, reaffirmed his commitment to the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu, saying he does not need to occupy any formal position in the campaign structure to contribute to the President’s electoral success.
Reports had recently listed Wike among senior politicians and government officials allegedly lobbying for, or being considered for, the position of Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election.
But Wike, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, described the reports as untrue.
In a statement issued on Monday, the minister said he had neither discussed the leadership of the proposed campaign council nor expressed interest in becoming a member of the council.
Wike said he was currently outside Nigeria, taking a break after spending more than 30 days engaged in official activities, including the commissioning of completed projects, flagging off new projects and inspecting ongoing projects in the FCT.
According to him, his priority upon returning to Nigeria would remain the implementation of his administration’s mandate and supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He also said he would continue working to strengthen the President’s electoral prospects in both Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.
«“Therefore, I do not need to be the DG or even a member of the Presidential Campaign Council of Mr President’s political party to contribute my quota by ensuring that he wins handsomely in Rivers State and the FCT,” Wike stated.»
The former Rivers State governor has remained an outspoken supporter of President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, despite his continued membership of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Wike’s latest clarification puts to rest speculation linking him to the leadership of the APC’s presidential campaign structure, while reaffirming his intention to support Tinubu’s electoral campaign without necessarily holding a formal role in the campaign council.
As preparations for the 2027 elections intensify, attention is expected to focus increasingly on the structure and leadership of the various campaign organisations that will drive the presidential contest.
