Federal Capital Territory (Federal Capital Territory) Minister Nyesom Wike has publicly dismissed the electoral prospects of Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, governorship hopeful Dumo Lulu-Briggs ahead of the 2027 general elections in Rivers State (Rivers State). Wike maintained that the opposition figure lacks the political machinery required to secure victory under his present party.
Addressing a community gathering on Thursday in Abonnema, located within the Akuku-Toru Local Government Area, the former Rivers governor cautioned local residents against voting based purely on lineage without evaluating the political realities.
What did Wike tell Lulu-Briggs' kinsmen during the town hall?
During the interactive session, the minister advised the audience to steer clear of making choices influenced strictly by sentiment. He emphasized that while it is natural to desire a kinsman in public office, electoral arithmetic makes the NDC candidate's bid unviable.
"I know that one of your sons is contesting for governorship under NDC, yes, we want our son to be a governor but we must be realistic. As it is today, he cannot win under that party," Wike stated.
He further explained that had the candidate run on the platform of either the All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) or the Peoples Democratic Party, a coalition-based discussion might have been feasible. However, he maintained that the NDC structure fell short of what is required to mount a successful challenge.
Why is Wike backing the APC candidate instead?
Shifting focus to the opposition APC, the FCT minister encouraged the electorate to pitch their tent with the ruling party's flagbearer, Kingsley Chinda. He pointed out that the APC ticket already secures significant representation for the locality, as the deputy governorship candidate is equally an indigene of the area.
"You have a son who is going to be the deputy governor and that one is certain but there is no way for the other one. Let's not make mistakes because he is your son," he added, urging the community to align with a more pragmatic political trajectory for the forthcoming elections.