FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has denied 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 described the reports as false, saying he has not discussed the leadership or membership of the proposed campaign council with anyone. His clarification came after reports listed him among politicians and government officials allegedly interested in the influential position.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister said he had no personal ambition to secure a position in the APC campaign structure.
Rather, Wike said his priority remained the performance of his responsibilities as FCT minister and the implementation of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu.
He said he was currently outside Nigeria after spending more than 30 days in the country commissioning completed projects, flagging off new projects and inspecting ongoing developments, particularly those expected to be commissioned later in the year and early next year.
Wike also made it clear that his support for Tinubu’s re-election does not depend on receiving an official role in the presidential campaign organisation.
According to the minister, he does not need to become the campaign council’s Director-General or even a member of the council before contributing to Tinubu’s electoral success.
He specifically expressed his intention to work toward strengthening the President’s chances in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, two areas where his political influence could become significant in the 2027 contest.
The development is coming at a time when political parties are increasingly positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with attention already focused on possible campaign structures, alliances and influential figures who could play major roles in the presidential contest.
Wike’s position is particularly significant because of his continued political relationship with the Tinubu administration despite his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party, an opposition party.
The former Rivers State governor was one of the prominent members of the PDP’s G5 group during the 2023 presidential election and has maintained a strong political relationship with the Tinubu administration since the President assumed office.
His latest statement therefore appears aimed at separating his declared support for Tinubu from speculation over appointments or positions within the APC’s future campaign machinery.
Wike maintained that his contribution to Tinubu’s re-election effort would be based on his political support and influence rather than the title attached to any campaign position.
He said that upon his return, his focus would be on continuing the delivery of his mandate as FCT minister while working to improve the President’s electoral fortunes in Rivers State and the FCT.
The denial has also added another dimension to growing speculation over the personalities who could eventually emerge in key positions within the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign structure.
For now, Wike has made it clear that he is not seeking the position being attributed to him and that his declared objective is to support Tinubu’s return to office without necessarily occupying a formal position in the campaign council.