Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied reports that he is seeking to become Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wike said he had neither lobbied for the position nor held discussions with anyone about securing an appointment in the campaign structure.
Despite distancing himself from the reported campaign role, the former Rivers State governor reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
He said he does not need a formal position in the APC campaign team to help Tinubu secure a strong victory in Rivers State and the FCT.
Wike’s reaction followed reports suggesting that he was among several influential politicians and government officials being considered for, or lobbying to occupy, the campaign council’s top position.
However, in a statement issued on Monday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, Wike dismissed the reports as false.
The minister said he had not discussed either the leadership or membership of the APC Presidential Campaign Council with anyone.
“I am outside Nigeria, resting and relaxing after spending over 30 days commissioning projects, flagging off new ones, and inspecting ongoing ones, especially those scheduled for commissioning in December and January next year,” he said.
Wike explained that his current trip abroad came after an intense period of official activities in Abuja.
According to him, the period involved commissioning completed projects, launching new infrastructure and inspecting major developments across the FCT.
He said his attention would return to the development of Abuja once he gets back to Nigeria, with a focus on delivering projects under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“When I return, our focus will be the continuous delivery of our mandate in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and to further enhance his electoral fortune in Rivers State and the FCT.
“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.
Wike Says Campaign Position Is Not His Priority
The FCT minister maintained that political relevance should not be determined solely by the official positions held by politicians.
Rather, he suggested that the ability to mobilise people and deliver tangible results was more important than securing a title within a campaign organisation.
His comments indicate that he remains focused on the Tinubu administration’s infrastructure programme in Abuja while continuing to support the President politically.
The denial also comes amid growing speculation over the possible structure and leadership of the APC’s 2027 presidential campaign team.
Wike has emerged as one of the prominent political figures backing the Tinubu administration, despite remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Since joining the Federal Executive Council in August 2023, he has overseen several major infrastructure projects in the nation’s capital.
His political relationship with Tinubu has also attracted considerable attention, particularly because of his continued membership of the PDP.
The former Rivers governor has repeatedly expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the President’s administration has recorded significant achievements through infrastructure projects and economic reforms.
Wike has also indicated that he would use his political influence in Rivers State to support Tinubu’s campaign for a second term.
