The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, have initiated high-level political consultations to mobilise stakeholders from the North Central geopolitical zone and Rivers State in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima’s second-term bid in 2027.
​The coordinated engagements, held at separate executive sessions in Abuja and Port Harcourt, on Friday, October 2, 2026, aim to solidify grassroots structures and unify key political blocs ahead of the next general election cycle.
​In Abuja, SGF Senator George Akume presided over a strategic meeting of political figures, community leaders, and party stalwarts from the North Central zone under the banner of the North Central Grassroots Mobilisation Movement for Tinubu/Shettima.
​Speaking at the session, Akume emphasized that the administration’s ongoing economic and structural reforms require a sustained mandate to yield full national dividends.
​”Our objective is clear: to ensure that the achievements of the current administration are felt across every ward and local government area in the North Central zone,” Akume stated. “We are establishing a unified grassroots network to take the message of President Tinubu’s administration directly to the political base.”
​The North Central alignment was reaffirmed by Sonny Echono, former Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and a leading spokesperson for the movement. Echono noted that stakeholders across Benue, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger, Kwara, and Kogi states have resolved to coordinate door-to-door canvassing operations well in advance of the official campaign season.
​Concurrently in Port Harcourt, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike convened a gathering of ward coordinators, local government chairmen, and political allies across Rivers State. Wike directed political leaders to appoint unit coordinators and canvassers across all polling units, specifically highlighting key electoral hubs such as Obio-Akpor Local Government Area.
​Accompanied by key political associates, including former minority leader of the House of Representatives Kingsley Chinda, Wike addressed criticisms regarding his political alignments and emphasized numerical strength as the primary metric of political relevance.
​”There is no permanent enemy in politics. What we have is permanent collective interest,” Wike stated during his address. “I am back here to use my position as a vessel to help our people. The goal is to expand our political base because leadership requires absorbing both good and bad to build a formidable majority for President Tinubu.”
​The synchronised grassroots pushes in the North Central zone and Rivers State highlight early strategic positioning by major political figures within the administration.
By combining Akume’s regional influence in the Middle Belt with Wike’s structure in the South-South, the proponents aim to secure solid electoral cushions in key swing blocs ahead of the 2027 presidential contest.
