The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has thrown down the gauntlet to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, advising him to start drafting his resignation letter ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The party’s reaction follows a bold public declaration made by Wike on September 30 during an interaction with the Apo Mechanics and Traders Association in Abuja.

The Minister had vowed to resign his cabinet position on January 17, 2027, if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu fails to secure victory in both the FCT and Rivers State.

Responding to Wike’s challenge in Abuja at the weekend, NDC FCT Publicity Secretary, Prince Samuel Iloh, dismissed the Minister’s claims as political bravado, insisting Wike lacks the power to dictate how residents of the nation’s capital will vote.

“If not that he is taking Nigeria as a banana republic, how could a politician be making such a claim when he has only one vote to cast for the President in Rivers and not even in the FCT?” Iloh asked.

Iloh further alleged that Wike’s confidence relies on an “election rigging mechanism,” but assured that FCT voters would actively safeguard their ballots at the polls.

The NDC spokesman pointed to the 2023 election results as evidence of the territory’s established voting pattern.

According to official INEC records, Labour Party candidate Peter Obi overwhelmingly won the FCT with 281,717 votes, while the APC’s Tinubu trailed with 90,902 votes.

Iloh emphasized that Wike’s presence in the cabinet would not reverse this dynamic.

Ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027, the NDC urged residents to turn out en masse to vote for Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso.

He also rallied support for NDC legislative candidates in the territory, including Barrister Amanda Pam for Senate, as well as Hassan Grema and Adamu Kamal for the House of Representatives. (Daily Trust)