The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has warned members of the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council against claiming victory in the 2027 presidential election if they fail to deliver their respective states to President Bola Tinubu.

Wike gave the warning on Wednesday at the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in Abuja, where he was appointed coordinator for Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.

He said the priority of every council member should be to secure Tinubu’s re-election, irrespective of their positions within the campaign structure.

“I want to say, if you don’t deliver your states and the president wins, don’t say we’ve won. It’s not a question of whether I am chairman, secretary or member of this. What is important is for the president to win,” Wike said.

He cited Lagos State as an example, saying he had warned the President’s Chief of Staff against claiming victory if the state was not delivered.

“I told the Chief of Staff to the President, if the president doesn’t win in Lagos, don’t say we’ve won,” he added.

The FCT minister pledged to mobilise support for Tinubu in Rivers and Abuja, expressing confidence that both areas would deliver votes for the President.

“By the grace of God, Rivers and FCT will vote massively for Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.

Wike also praised Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for attending the inauguration, describing their presence as a reflection of the support Tinubu was receiving ahead of the 2027 election.

Defending the administration’s performance, the minister argued that previous governments had identified Nigeria’s challenges but failed to provide lasting solutions.

He also said democracy required an opposition that could identify problems and offer constructive alternatives, rather than criticising the government simply because it was in power.

Addressing his political position within the Peoples Democratic Party, Wike reaffirmed his claim to the party’s leadership despite his involvement in the APC’s campaign activities.

“As an opposition party member, as the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party, there are no two leaders of the PDP. I am the leader,” he declared.

Wike also challenged officials of the FCT area councils to dispute the impact of Tinubu’s administration on the territory.

“I challenge any area council that can say they don’t feel the impact of Mr President in Abuja,” he said.