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Tuesday, September 22, 2026

2027 election will be easiest for me in Rivers, Wike boasts

Mr Wike said his political strength stems from his track record and direct connection with the people. 

• September 21, 2026
Wike inaugurating project Credit: Punch
Nyesom Wike [Credit: Punch Newspaper]

The Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has boasted that the forthcoming 2027 elections will be the easiest for him in Rivers State.

Mr Wike, who boasted during his appearance on TVC on Monday, said his political strength stems from his track record and direct connection with the people rather than federal backing or political coalitions.

“Anybody telling you today that people are fighting me in Rivers and that it will be difficult brother, I have never had an election that has been easy, but this one will be the easiest election as far as I know. 

“The factors are clear. What are you going to tell Rivers people now? What will you present to them that will make them believe that following you will be more beneficial than what they have today?,” the minister stated.

Mr Wike further expressed unwavering confidence, boasting that 2027 would be his easiest political contest yet.

He recalled, “I started this game in 1999 as a local government chairman. In all my elections, it has never been easy. In 2015, they said it would be difficult; I won. In 2019, the federal might and soldiers were against me, yet I won.”

He also dismissed claims by the former Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and the ‘Obidient’ movement that they won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers, asserting that their victories existed only in their imagination.

“They won in their imagination. I have always told people: they won in their imagination. Nobody declared them to have won. I have been in this system; I am in this game. When Obi went to the Timber Market or somewhere in Rivers State and they were shouting ‘Obi! Obi!’, is that how you win an election?,” Mr Wike added.

He faulted claims of victory based on isolated polling units, noting that Rivers possesses over 7,000 polling units across 23 local government areas.

“Out of over 7,000 polling units, until all results have come in, even if 200 polling units come out and say Obi or Atiku has won, it does not convince me. They went to the tribunal, were they able to tender or prove to the court that they won the election?

“You can win on social media, but I am not interested in social media winning. I am interested practically in the results on the ground, who won, and who was declared,” the minister noted.

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