The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he would be among the first politicians targeted by opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, if President Bola Tinubu fails to secure re-election in 2027.

Wike made the statement during a media chat in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, while defending his continued support for Tinubu despite remaining a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The minister said his open support for Tinubu had exposed him politically, particularly because of his longstanding disagreements with Atiku and his opposition to Obi’s 2023 presidential bid.

“My concern is, I will support Mr President. If you watch what is happening today and look at it, peradventure anything happens and Mr President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku or Obi will hunt for his head.

“I challenge anybody. So, I won’t make that mistake of sleeping to see that the President loses the election,” Wike said.

Wike, who has been at odds with Atiku since losing the PDP presidential ticket to him in 2022, said he would not fold his arms and allow the former vice president to win the 2027 presidential election.

“You want me to fold my hands for Atiku Abubakar to come and win the election?” he asked.

The minister also dismissed reports that he was planning to relocate to Rivers State, saying his frequent visits were aimed at maintaining contact with his constituents and monitoring political developments in the state.

“It’s not about relocating; it’s about coming home to relate with the people and talk to them, and also do those things you know how to do very well, not to take chances.

“So, I’m not relocating. I don’t need to relocate, but I also have to be in touch with my people so that I don’t just sit in Abuja and then say that everything is going on well there,” he said.

Wike said he would not rely solely on assurances from political associates that things were going well in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 election.

On his stewardship in the FCT, Wike assured that all capital projects initiated under the Tinubu administration would be completed before the end of the President’s tenure.

He said 107 capital projects had been initiated under the administration in the FCT, with 76 already completed.

According to him, 10 more projects would be inaugurated before the January elections, while the remaining projects would be completed before the end of the administration’s tenure.

“Before this tenure expires, every project started under Bola Tinubu would have been completed,” he said.

Wike also disclosed that the FCT Administration had completed 23 of the 25 projects inherited from former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, with work ongoing on the remaining two.

He added that six of the eight projects inherited from the administrations of former Presidents Goodluck Jonathan and Umaru Yar’Adua had also been completed, while two remained ongoing.

“In the history of the FCT, no government has done what we have done in Abuja. I challenge anyone to come out,” Wike stated.