Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged Rivers State indigenes to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, describing him as a “brother” to the people of the state.

Wike made the call on Saturday at a civic reception held in his honour at Omagwa, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

He said Tinubu had demonstrated commitment to Rivers State by identifying with its challenges, understanding its problems and taking steps to address them.

Wike based his argument on a definition of political “brotherhood” previously advanced by former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, saying Amaechi had argued before the 2015 election that brotherhood was determined by who identified with the people and their problems, rather than blood relationship.

He recalled that Amaechi had described former President Goodluck Jonathan as someone who did not care for Rivers, while regarding Muhammadu Buhari as a brother because of Buhari’s relationship with the state.

“Tinubu has identified with us. He has related with us. He has understood our problems and helped solve them. Therefore, by the definition of brotherhood that Amaechi himself gave us, Tinubu is our brother,” Wike said.

The FCT Minister also criticised Amaechi, who is the African Democratic Congress vice-presidential candidate for the 2027 election, over his record as Minister of Transportation.

Wike questioned what Amaechi did for Rivers during his tenure, accusing him of taking the proposed Federal University of Transportation to Daura, Katsina State, instead of his home state.

He contrasted this with Tinubu’s administration, citing the appointment of Rivers indigenes as vice-chancellors of the University of Port Harcourt and the newly established University of Environment.

Wike consequently said Rivers people would apply Amaechi’s own definition of brotherhood in the 2027 election and support Tinubu over Amaechi and the ADC.