Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says he does not need a role in the All Progressives Congress (APC) campaign council before working for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid.

Wike, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), spoke on Saturday after inspecting some ongoing projects in the FCT, saying membership of the campaign council does not guarantee electoral victory.

The ruling party had earlier unveiled the presidential campaign council, naming Abdulaziz Yari, senator representing Zamfara west, as director-general and Hope Uzodimma, governor of Imo, as secretary.

According to NAN, Wike said political relevance in presidential elections hinges on a politician’s ability to win their states, local governments, and wards.

He dismissed the notion that not being a member of the APC campaign council would prevent key political actors from helping secure electoral victories for the president.

The minister said the rainbow coalition, which he established in Rivers state for Tinubu’s second-term bid, is already implementing its plans to secure the president’s re-election.

“I am not a member of the APC, so I cannot be in the presidential campaign council. We had our own strategies on how the presidency would emerge,” he said.

“In the rainbow coalition, we don’t need to be members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. We are doing our own work.

“What is important is: are you able to deliver those two states? Who will be in charge of the Rivers state campaign? Me. Who will be in charge of FCT? Me.”

While emphasising that appointment to campaign councils does not translate to electoral victory, the minister said history is replete with prominent political figures who served as DGs of presidential campaign councils but failed to deliver their home states for their parties.

“Rotimi Amaechi served as DG for Muhammadu Buhari’s campaigns in 2015 and 2019 but failed to secure Rivers,” Wike said.

“Bukola Saraki led Atiku Abubakar’s campaign council in 2019 as DG but lost both Kwara and his senatorial seat.

“Aminu Tambuwal served as DG for Atiku Abubakar in 2023 and lost Sokoto State.

“Simon Lalong headed the APC presidential campaign council as DG in 2023 but failed to deliver Plateau.

“If you are DG and you don’t win your state, what is the essence of the DG? If you lose your own state, even if you are DG, you will be ashamed. When you say you won, people will ask: ‘Why didn’t you win in your own state?’”

The FCT minister maintained that political alliances extend beyond formal party structures, adding that his Rainbow Coalition is already working across several states, including Bayelsa, Benue, and Kwara, to support the presidency regardless of formal campaign appointments.