The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said he is confident that Nigerians will vote massively for him if he decides to contest for the presidency.
Wike made the statement on Monday during a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja. He said Nigerians still love him and believe in his leadership style.
“Nigerians still love me, and if I run for the presidential election, they will vote for me massively,” he said.
Although he did not formally declare his intention to contest, his comments have sparked fresh political discussions across the country.
Wike, who served as Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023 before his appointment as FCT Minister, said his achievements in public office would always speak for him.
He stressed that he has always connected easily with ordinary Nigerians and understands their needs.
Nyesom Wike is one of Nigeria’s most outspoken and influential politicians. During his eight years as Governor of Rivers State, he carried out major infrastructure projects, including roads, flyovers, schools, and government buildings.
Supporters often describe him as a strong leader who delivers projects quickly. Critics, however, have sometimes accused him of being confrontational in his political style.
After leaving office as governor in 2023, Wike was appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory by President Bola Tinubu. His appointment came after a period of political tension within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he had played a major role.
Since becoming FCT Minister, Wike has focused on infrastructure development in Abuja. He has ordered the removal of illegal structures, pushed for payment of ground rents, and flagged off road and housing projects in different parts of the capital.
During the media chat, Wike said his record in Rivers State and the FCT shows that he can deliver results.
“My achievements speak for me. People know what I have done,” he said.
He added that leadership is about courage and the ability to take tough decisions, even when they are not popular.
Political observers say Wike remains a key figure in Nigeria’s political landscape. Though he is currently serving in an administration led by the All Progressives Congress (APC), he is still widely known as a former PDP governor.
Aside from speaking about a possible presidential ambition, Wike also expressed confidence in his political strength within the FCT.
He said that even if the recently concluded area council elections in Abuja were to be repeated, his loyalists would still emerge victorious.
The FCT has six area councils, and council elections are often seen as a test of grassroots political strength in the capital.
Wike’s comments suggest that he believes he has strong support among political stakeholders and residents in the FCT.
Nigeria’s presidential election is one of the most competitive political contests in Africa. To win, a candidate must secure not only the highest number of votes nationwide but also at least 25 per cent of votes in two-thirds of the states and the FCT.
In the 2023 general election, the presidential race was closely contested, reflecting the country’s diverse political interests. As Nigeria prepares for future elections, political leaders have already begun positioning themselves.
Although Wike did not state when or under which party he might contest, his statement is likely to fuel speculation about his long-term political plans.
Some residents of Abuja who reacted to his comments said Wike has made visible efforts to improve infrastructure in the capital. Others said it is too early to talk about the next presidential election.
In Nigerian politics, early declarations or hints about presidential ambition are common, especially among prominent politicians seeking to test public reaction.
For now, Wike remains focused on his duties as FCT Minister. However, his statement that Nigerians love him and would vote massively for him if he contests has added a new dimension to ongoing political conversations.
Whether Wike will eventually join the presidential race remains to be seen. But his remarks have once again placed him at the centre of national political debate.
