Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said Rivers State is leading other states in mobilising political support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Wike asserted on Friday in Port Harcourt at the inauguration of senatorial and local government coordinators of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Mr Lere Olayinka, the minister said the programme was organised to consolidate support for the Tinubu administration as political activities towards 2027 gather momentum.

According to Wike, Rivers State has set the benchmark for political mobilisation and will continue to demonstrate practical commitment to the president.

“Other states may inaugurate their own structures after today, but Rivers State will always lead the way,” he said.
“Support is not by mere declarations; we have demonstrated our commitment through action.”

The former Rivers governor said preparations for the next general elections had formally commenced, adding that ward-level inauguration of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors would begin shortly.

Wike also questioned the level of commitment of the Rivers State Government to Tinubu’s re-election bid, stressing that political rewards are tied to loyalty and dedication rather than financial contributions.

“You cannot have a governor in the state while we are openly declaring support for President Tinubu and he is not aligning. How then do you expect a reward?” he asked.

He added: “You don’t need ₦600 billion. What matters is commitment. That is what brings reward, even if it comes with envy.”

Describing the initiative as a “rainbow coalition,” Wike thanked President Tinubu for supporting the group’s candidates in the February 21 by-elections for Khana State Constituency II and Ahoada West State Constituency II. He urged voters to turn out in large numbers to support the candidates, regardless of party affiliation.

Earlier, the Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, commended supporters from both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) for their large turnout in solidarity with the president.

Speaking on behalf of federal political appointees from Rivers State, Senator George Sekibo assured Tinubu of sustained support, praising the administration for what he described as unprecedented appointments and infrastructural projects in the state.

“No president has undertaken projects of this magnitude in Rivers State while also appointing indigenes into key positions,” Sekibo said.

Similarly, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Kingsley Chinda, who spoke for the National Assembly caucus, reaffirmed support for Tinubu’s re-election.

“What we achieved in 2023, we will surpass in 2027. Politics is give and take,” Chinda said.

Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mr Martins Amaewhule, and former PDP state chairman, Mr Felix Obuah, also pledged support for the president.

Meanwhile, the Rivers State chairmen of the PDP and APC, Mr Aaron Chukwuemeka and Mr Tony Okocha respectively, said their parties had begun full mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.