FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has explained why he would not accept an appointment as Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s presidential campaign, insisting that he is not a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike made the statement while responding to a question about whether he would be interested in serving as the DG of Tinubu’s campaign council.
According to him, his decision would not be based on a lack of qualification, but on his political affiliation. He said that even if President Tinubu personally approached him for the position, he would respectfully decline and explain his reasons.
Wike also recalled previous presidential campaigns where prominent political figures served as campaign DGs but failed to deliver their home states.
He cited the 2015 and 2019 campaigns involving Rotimi Amaechi, noting that despite serving as Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign DG, Buhari did not secure 25 percent of the votes in Rivers State.
He also mentioned Bukola Saraki, who served as Atiku Abubakar’s campaign DG in 2019, but lost both his state and his senatorial seat.
Wike further referenced Aminu Tambuwal, who was Atiku’s campaign DG in 2023 but lost Sokoto State, as well as Simon Lalong, who served as the APC presidential campaign DG and also lost his home state.
The FCT Minister stressed that his priority is to remain politically relevant in the states he considers his strongholds, particularly Rivers State and the FCT.
He argued that the effectiveness of a campaign DG should ultimately be measured by the ability to deliver electoral victories, especially in their own political base.
“I don’t want to lose my state! I will be in my state. I have two states: FCT and Rivers. What is important is that you are able to deliver those two states,” Wike said.
He added that holding the position of campaign DG means little if the person cannot secure victory in their own state.
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