A member of the House of Representatives, Abdulmumin Jibrin, has described the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, as an asset to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu.
This was just as Jibrin said Wike had made significant political sacrifices for the APC and the Tinubu administration, and argued that members of the ruling party had benefited from his efforts.
The federal lawmaker stated this on Wednesday while appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
According to him, Wike’s contribution to the APC should not be overlooked, particularly his role in the political realignment that saw Rivers State move towards the ruling party.
“I can say this clearly: there is no APC member who has not directly or indirectly benefited from the efforts of Wike. So long as we are talking about delivering the President, managing the government, and also performing in terms of his work, there is nobody,” Jibrin said.
He added, “I’m not holding brief for Wike, but I believe that he has sacrificed so much for the APC and the President. Wike has handed over Rivers State to the APC.
“Wike is an asset to the APC. I don’t think Wike should be embarrassed at this moment with public statements.”
Jibrin therefore urged APC governors to handle issues involving the former Rivers State governor diplomatically, rather than publicly attacking him.
“If I had the opportunity to advise the APC Governors’ Forum, I would have advised them to go about it in a very diplomatic manner,” he said.
His comments came amid political disagreements involving Wike and some members of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Jibrin also expressed confidence that Tinubu would secure at least 65 per cent of votes cast in the 2027 presidential election.
The Kano lawmaker, who represents Kiru/Bebeji Federal Constituency, said Tinubu’s popularity had increased, particularly in northern Nigeria.
“The president has never been liked so much as he is being liked in the Northern part of the country,” he claimed.
Jibrin further predicted that Tinubu would win Kano State despite the influence of former governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, who is the running mate to the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
The lawmaker, who has previously been associated with the Kwankwasiyya political movement, said APC politicians in Kano understood the political structure and dynamics of the state.
“Who is more Kwankwasiyya than us? We understand the entire dynamics. Seun, if you want me to put a bet, I will put a bet with you, we will deliver Kano for the President (Tinubu), and the president will win in the 2027 election,” he said.
Jibrin said the outcome of the election, rather than prevailing political perceptions, would ultimately determine the level of support for the various candidates.
He said APC leaders in Kano were already mobilising ahead of the election, noting that Governor Abba Yusuf, Deputy Governor Aminu Abdulsalam Gwarzo and other political leaders were involved in the party’s preparations.
The lawmaker’s remarks come amid intensified political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with Tinubu seeking re-election on the APC platform while Obi and Kwankwaso are campaigning together on the NDC ticket.