The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has offered Rivers State the prospect of more federal appointments and infrastructure projects if it delivers a strong vote for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Wike made the appeal on Monday during a meeting with supporters of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and youth leaders in Port Harcourt, where he also sought reconciliation between the rival political camps.
He urged the supporters to mobilise voters for Tinubu, arguing that a strong electoral performance would strengthen Rivers State’s influence in the Federal Government.
“If we are one of the first three states that get the highest number of votes, we will get more of the appointments,” Wike said.
The meeting, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, was part of efforts to consolidate support for Tinubu through the Rainbow Coalition, which is bringing together political structures across different platforms.
Wike cited federal appointments and infrastructure projects, including the Bonny road, as evidence of the benefits of cooperation with the Tinubu administration. He urged political stakeholders to set aside past disagreements and work towards the state’s development.
He said his political activities were not driven by a desire to return as governor but by his ambition to ensure Rivers remained influential in national politics.
Wike also disclosed that committees had been established to address grievances and ensure that members of the political group were not left out of the reconciliation process. He asked local government youth leaders to return to their communities, resolve disagreements and prepare for campaign activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking on behalf of Fubara’s supporters, former Port Harcourt Mayor Ezebunwo Ichemati pledged the group’s readiness to work with Wike to secure Rivers State for Tinubu and other candidates under the coalition.
Ichemati described the reconciliation as a move to end the divisions that had separated the two camps, adding that the initiative would extend to grassroots supporters, particularly youths.
He said the group was committed to joining the Rainbow Coalition and working towards its electoral objectives. He also stated that Fubara was aware of and supported the meeting.
The engagement comes as political actors intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections, with Rivers State emerging as a key battleground in efforts to consolidate support for Tinubu.
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