Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has intensified his political mobilisation in Rivers State, calling on stakeholders in Obio-Akpor Local Government Area to work collectively ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Wike made the call on Friday during a consultative meeting with stakeholders from Akpor Kingdom in Obio-Akpor, where he urged political leaders and community influencers to set aside past disagreements and focus on building a broad support base for President Bola Tinubu.

The former Rivers State governor said his continued involvement in Rivers politics was motivated by what he described as a desire to contribute to the development of the state and support its people.

Wike said political differences should not permanently divide stakeholders, arguing that collective interests could bring people with different political backgrounds together.

He appealed to politicians, traditional rulers, religious leaders and other community stakeholders in Obio-Akpor to participate in the mobilisation effort, noting that all eligible voters would ultimately have a role to play in the election.

The minister specifically drew attention to Wards 15, 16 and 17 in Obio-Akpor, which he described as strategically important to his mobilisation plans because of their large number of polling units.

He directed political leaders to establish coordinators at the polling-unit level and engage directly with residents ahead of the election.

Wike also recalled his time as the first elected chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Council to secure a second term after the council was created in 1989. He attributed his re-election at the time to his relationship with residents and what he said were the effects of his administration.

The FCT minister has made support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid a recurring part of his political activities in recent months. In September, he clarified that his support for Tinubu’s presidential re-election did not mean the Peoples Democratic Party, to which he still belongs, would be prevented from participating in governorship and legislative elections.

Wike also recently said he would resign as FCT minister if Tinubu loses the presidential election in both Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory. He said he would announce his resignation on January 17, 2027, a day after the presidential election scheduled for January 16.

His latest comments in Rivers therefore form part of an ongoing effort to mobilise political support for Tinubu across the state.

Wike further said he would continue to monitor the performance of elected local government officials in Rivers State, describing himself as the state’s “Chief Critic.”

The minister was accompanied at the meeting by political figures, including Rivers State APC governorship candidate Kingsley Chinda and other members of the political group associated with his mobilisation efforts.

Wike’s political activities have continued to attract attention because he remains a member of the PDP while serving as minister in the APC-led Federal Government. His position has been that supporting Tinubu for president does not prevent members of his political coalition or the PDP from participating in other electoral contests.

The 2027 presidential election is scheduled for January 16, 2027, according to the timetable referenced by Wike in his recent public comments.

As the election approaches, Wike’s mobilisation activities in Rivers are likely to remain part of the wider political contest, alongside efforts by other parties and political groups seeking the support of voters across the state.