The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he remains in charge of the political structures in Rivers State and the FCT, vowing to deliver them to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Mr Wike made the declaration on Wednesday during a media chat in Port Harcourt, where he described himself as the “General Commander of the Political Infantry” and dismissed the suggestion that only a sitting governor could control a state’s political structure.
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“You do not need to be governor before you can be in charge. I am the General Commander of the Political Infantry; therefore, I am in charge. So also in FCT. I owe the President to give these two,” he said.
Mr Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has remained one of Mr Tinubu’s strongest political allies outside the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), despite retaining his membership of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
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He has repeatedly pledged to mobilise support for Mr Tinubu in Rivers ahead of the 2027 election.
In February, Mr Wike said supporters of the president in Rivers did not need a sitting governor to mobilise votes for him, arguing that he and his allies had enough political structures across the state to deliver the president.
His latest declaration comes amid continuing questions over the balance of political influence in Rivers State, where Governor Siminalayi Fubara has returned to the political centre after last year’s crisis with Mr Wike.
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Mr Wike, however, insisted that occupying the governorship was not the only route to political control.
‘I owe Tinubu Rivers, FCT’
Explaining his political role, Mr Wike said his objective was to ensure that Mr Tinubu wins both Rivers and the FCT.
He said he would not sit back and allow opposition politicians to take the territories from the president.
“Politics, of course, this is the time. You want me to fold my hand for Atiku to come and win the election?” he asked.
The minister also dismissed suggestions that he was relocating to Rivers State, saying his return was partly to reconnect with his political base and spend time with his family.
His comments come as politicians intensify preparations for the 2027 election.
Suspension of FCTA director
The minister also announced the suspension of an FCTA director for allegedly issuing unauthorised temporary approvals to commercial operators on designated green areas.
Mr Wike said the action was part of the administration’s response to violations of the Abuja master plan, particularly the encroachment of green areas and waterways.
“Beyond structural enforcement, the FCTA is also taking stern administrative action against officials within the administration who facilitate illegal encroachment into green areas and the waterways,” he said.
He said another official had faced disciplinary action for allegedly reallocating parkland under the guise of security clearing.
The sanctions followed recent flooding in parts of Abuja, particularly along the Airport Road corridor and in Lokogoma.
Mr Wike said the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) and the Director of Development Control had been dispatched to inspect affected communities.
“When I heard of the incident, the executive secretary of the FCDA and the director, development control had to go to the place, not only at the Airport Road but also in Lokogoma,” he said.
READ ALSO: Wike orders crackdown on car dealers operating in Abuja’s green areas
He blamed part of the flooding on years of violations of the Abuja master plan, particularly developments that blocked waterways and road corridors.
“From our studies, Lugbe has always violated the Abuja master plan. All over the years, you see people building without approval and blocking where there is supposed to be a roadway. As an administration, we are not taking it lightly,” he said.
Mr Wike vowed to remove structures found to be obstructing waterways and road corridors.
He also rejected claims that government approvals should protect structures built in prohibited areas.
“You got approval to do something wrong, sometimes, it’s under influence. government policy is that nobody should do anything on green areas,” he said.
“Now you go with the spirit that nothing will happen, and then when we come to enforce, you say you have approval. It is not going to be accepted.”
The FCTA has intensified enforcement against structures built on waterways and other prohibited areas following flooding in several parts of Abuja.
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