Wike Is Doing Poor Job Marketing Tinubu, Doesn’t Even Know Number Of PVCs Collected – Nwaokobia

Human rights lawyer and public affairs analyst Dr Chris Nwaokobia Jnr has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of failing to effectively promote President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Nwaokobia, who leads the Country First Movement, made the remarks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, during an appearance on Arise TV’s Morning Show. He spoke while discussing the manifestos political parties are expected to present to Nigerians before the forthcoming presidential election.

The lawyer questioned the effectiveness of individuals campaigning for Tinubu, arguing that some politicians who make ambitious promises about electoral victories appear unfamiliar with the political realities and voting figures in their respective states. He particularly criticised their apparent lack of knowledge about basic electoral statistics, including the number of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) collected by registered voters.

According to Nwaokobia, Wike has not demonstrated sufficient effectiveness in convincing Nigerians to support the President’s bid for another term in office.

“Chief Minister Wike is doing a poor job of marketing his principal and so many people across our country who may not even actually know the number of voter cards that have been collected in their states,” Nwaokobia said.

The public affairs analyst also questioned Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo’s declaration that he would deliver 2.5 million votes for Tinubu in the 2027 election. He challenged the basis for the projection, asking whether the governor was assuming that voter turnout would reach extraordinary levels of 90 or even 99 per cent to achieve the promised figure.

Nwaokobia maintained that politicians making bold electoral predictions should understand the number of eligible voters, prevailing voting patterns and the general mood of the electorate. He warned that promises unsupported by reliable electoral data or a realistic assessment of public opinion could undermine their credibility.

Turning to Nigeria’s economic and security challenges, the lawyer argued that many citizens were experiencing increasing hardship and uncertainty. He said politicians seeking to retain or gain political power needed to acknowledge the difficulties confronting ordinary Nigerians instead of relying on optimistic projections about their electoral prospects.

Nwaokobia observed that hunger, illness and widespread frustration had become major concerns for many citizens, while fears about personal safety continued to grow. He argued that the prevailing public mood posed a significant challenge to political parties and candidates preparing for the 2027 elections.

The lawyer also raised concerns about Nigeria’s life expectancy, comparing the country’s reported average of 54 years with the global average of 74 years. He described the disparity as a serious national issue, insisting that political leaders should address the underlying challenges through effective governance and practical policy measures.

He further highlighted the growth in Nigeria’s registered voter population, stating that the figure had risen from approximately 93 million before the 2023 general elections to about 103 million. According to him, the expanding electorate represents a significant voting bloc whose expectations and decisions could shape the outcome of the next presidential contest.

Nwaokobia also pointed to the growing interest of young Nigerians, particularly Generation Z, in electoral participation and the country’s political future. He suggested that many young voters recognised the importance of peaceful democratic engagement and regarded their votes as a means of influencing political and social change.

Against this background, he argued that the success of presidential candidates in 2027 would depend considerably on the quality and practicality of the policies they present to the electorate. He maintained that Nigerians would expect detailed manifestos that offer concrete solutions to the country’s challenges rather than relying on campaign slogans and broad promises.

Nwaokobia urged opposition parties to prepare comprehensive policy documents explaining how they would improve the economy, strengthen national security and enhance citizens’ welfare if elected into office.

He emphasised that credible manifestos should include measurable objectives and specific timelines, covering the first 100 days in office, the first year of governance and the entire four-year presidential term. In his view, such commitments would allow voters to evaluate candidates based on the feasibility of their plans and their capacity to deliver results.

The analyst further argued that economic performance, national productivity and the protection of lives and property would be central issues in the 2027 election. He said candidates needed to explain how they intended to expand economic opportunities, boost production, improve living standards and tackle persistent insecurity.

Nwaokobia’s comments come as political parties and their supporters intensify preparations for the 2027 presidential election. With economic hardship, insecurity and public accountability expected to remain major concerns, the substance of campaign promises and the credibility of candidates’ policy proposals are likely to play important roles in the contest.

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