Wike Declares Himself Political Infantry Commander, Vows Rivers and FCT for Tinubu in 2027
Port Harcourt/Abuja—September 2, 2026—Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has boldly reasserted his grip on the political machinery of Rivers State and the FCT, describing himself as the “General Commander of the Political Infantry” and declaring that he owes both territories to President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during a media interaction in Port Harcourt on Wednesday, the former Rivers governor dismissed suggestions that his influence had waned since leaving the Government House.
“You do not need to be governor before you can be in charge,” Wike said. “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. As far as the election is concerned, you count FCT as a state.”
Reconnecting, Not Relocating
Wike was careful to frame his presence in the oil-rich state as more than political theatre. He insisted his visit was about reconnecting with his base and family rather than a permanent move from Abuja.
“My coming to Port Harcourt is not about relocating. It is about coming home to reconnect with my people, do what I do best, and not leave anything to chance,” he explained. “I cannot sit with folded hands in Abuja and allow Atiku to win the election.”
The remarks come amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State, where Wike’s long-running influence continues to shape local calculations.
The minister, who remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party while publicly backing the APC’s Tinubu, has repeatedly positioned himself as a key player capable of delivering results through what allies describe as a broad-based “Rainbow Coalition.”
Strategic Focus on Two Key Territories
Wike has made clear that securing Rivers and the FCT for Tinubu ranks higher on his priority list than any formal campaign title.
In earlier comments, he ruled out serving as Director-General of the presidential campaign, arguing that delivering one’s home base matters more than national campaign branding. “What is important is that you are able to deliver those two states,” he has said.
He also offered a blunt assessment of the broader 2027 landscape, suggesting that any difficulties Tinubu faces in the North would be matched by challenges for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the South—a dynamic he linked back to the G5 governors’ strategy in 2023.
A Familiar, Polarising Force
Wike’s latest intervention is classic Wike: direct, confident, and designed to leave little room for ambiguity about who he believes still calls the shots in Rivers politics.
Supporters see a seasoned operator protecting his political investment and ensuring continuity for the Tinubu administration.
Critics view the language of “command” and “infantry” as a reminder of the intense personalization of power that has long defined the state’s politics.
Either way, the message from Port Harcourt was unmistakable. With the 2027 elections drawing closer, the FCT minister is signalling that he intends to remain an active, hands-on force in the two jurisdictions he regards as his political responsibility—and that he has no intention of watching from the sidelines.
As Nigeria’s political temperature continues to rise, Wike’s self-described role as “General Commander” ensures that Rivers State and the FCT will remain closely watched battlegrounds in the months ahead.
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