Tinubu to appoint Wike as Rivers, FCT campaign council coordinator amid rift with APC Govs

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is considering a defined role for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in his 2027 re-election campaign, with the former Rivers State governor expected to coordinate campaign activities in Rivers State and the FCT.

According to sources familiar with the emerging arrangement, the proposed role is designed to utilise Wike’s political network and influence without requiring him to formally join the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has repeatedly maintained that he does not belong to the APC and does not need to become a member of the party or secure a position in its Presidential Campaign Council to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

The proposed arrangement, as reported by ThisDay, would nevertheless give the minister specific responsibility for campaign activities in two strategic areas where he has repeatedly claimed significant political influence.

The development comes amid reported disagreements between Wike and some APC governors over the organisation of support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike has recently criticised some APC governors, including Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

The disagreements followed opposition from APC governors to Wike’s proposed “Rainbow Coalition”.

Uzodimma, who chairs the Progressive Governors Forum, had announced that the governors unanimously resolved not to associate with the Rainbow Coalition.

Sources said the proposed role for Wike is part of efforts to prevent further disagreements among key figures involved in the President’s re-election campaign.

Yari to head campaign council

Meanwhile, former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari is expected to serve as Director-General of Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council, according to sources familiar with the proposed structure.

However, the emerging arrangement is not expected to operate through a single chain of command.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau are reportedly not expected to report directly to Yari, with influential figures within the campaign expected to have distinct areas of responsibility.

A source explained that the same arrangement would apply to Wike, who is expected to oversee campaign activities in Rivers State and the FCT.

The source said the structure was being considered to minimise potential clashes among influential politicians and ensure that key figures involved in Tinubu’s campaign have clearly defined responsibilities.

Keyamo tipped for spokesperson role

The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, is also being considered for a prominent communications role within the campaign structure.

Keyamo is expected to bring significant political communication and campaign experience to the proposed team.

He served as a spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs during Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign and previously played a senior communications role in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign.

Beyond his campaign experience, Keyamo served as Minister of State for Labour and Employment under Buhari before his appointment as Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development by Tinubu.

The proposed campaign structure is expected to allocate specific responsibilities to prominent political figures while accommodating individuals such as Wike who have pledged support for Tinubu without formally joining the APC.