The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that his political mission ahead of the 2027 general elections is to strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s camp and make opposition politicians uncomfortable.
Wike made the remarks on Friday while speaking with journalists during an inspection of ongoing projects in Abuja, where he also dismissed claims that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory in the recent Osun governorship election represented a major boost for the opposition.
According to the minister, the current political landscape does not have a clearly defined leading opposition party, arguing that internal divisions within major opposition parties have weakened their ability to challenge the ruling camp.
Wike also commented on Adeleke’s recent meeting with President Tinubu, describing the engagement as part of efforts to build what he called a broader “Rainbow Coalition” ahead of the 2027 elections.
He said Adeleke remained a member of the Peoples Democratic Party despite contesting the Osun election on the platform of the Accord Party.
“Adeleke is only a member of the PDP, but because of the internal wrangling, and for him to secure a ticket to run for a second term, he had to find a platform. And that platform happens to be a good party, but he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party,” Wike said.
He dismissed claims by members of the African Democratic Congress that their collaboration with Accord contributed significantly to Adeleke’s victory, arguing that the emerging political alignment was now working in support of Tinubu.
“What happened last night was a meeting to review the Rainbow Coalition, and he is supporting Mr President,” Wike said.
“It is a Rainbow Coalition. I told you that the 2027 election would be the easiest election.”
Wike further declared that Adeleke was firmly within the political camp supporting Tinubu, despite belonging to a different political party.
“Sorry, Adeleke belongs to us, and we all belong to Mr President,” he said.
The FCT minister maintained that recent political developments had weakened the opposition and expressed confidence that more politicians would join the coalition backing the President ahead of 2027.
He said the political realignments would become clearer in the coming weeks.
Wike was also asked whether he was concerned about how opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, would react to his engagement with Adeleke.
The minister said he was not interested in making opposition politicians comfortable, stressing that his priority was to secure victory for his political camp.
“I don’t care; whatever they feel is not my business. I don’t want them to feel well. It is not my wish that they should feel well,” Wike said.
“My business is to make them not feel well all day, because they will be having high blood pressure. I guess that is my job, to make them have high blood pressure.”
He said political contests were about defeating opponents rather than making them comfortable, adding that he would continue to work to strengthen his political camp.
“You see, when you are having a contest with somebody, your business is not to make him feel well. Your business is to make sure that you beat him thoroughly,” he said.
Wike also promised to intensify political pressure on the opposition, saying, “I will add more crises for them.”
Meanwhile, the minister said his inspection of ongoing projects in Abuja was aimed at ensuring that major infrastructure scheduled for completion this year was delivered on time.
He inspected the IBB International Golf Club, which is undergoing rehabilitation following President Tinubu’s intervention.
Wike said the facility was particularly important to members of the diplomatic community who had raised concerns over its prolonged closure.
He disclosed that Julius Berger had been re-engaged for the rehabilitation because the company originally constructed the facility and was familiar with its design and standards.
According to him, physical work is expected to be completed by November, with the facility scheduled to reopen officially in December.
Wike said the golf club had been shut following an internal leadership crisis, which resulted in the appointment of a caretaker committee headed by the President of the Court of Appeal.
He commended the committee for helping resolve the dispute and creating the conditions for the rehabilitation of the facility.
The minister, however, warned that government would not continue to fund the golf club after its reopening, stressing that its management must generate enough revenue to sustain its operations and maintenance.
Advertisement