Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has said he is confident that the 2027 election will be the easiest election he has faced in Rivers State.

Wike made the statement during an appearance on TVC on Monday, while speaking about his political journey and the challenges he has faced in previous elections.

According to him, his confidence comes from his long-standing relationship with the people of Rivers State and his political record.

“I have never had an election that has been easy, but this one will be the easiest election as far as I know,” Wike said.

The former Rivers State governor said he started his political journey in 1999 as a local government chairman and has faced strong opposition in virtually every election since then.

He recalled that many people doubted his chances in the 2015 election, but he went on to win. He also referred to the 2019 election, which he said was fought against strong federal opposition and the presence of soldiers.

“In 2015, they said it would be difficult; I won. In 2019, the federal might and soldiers were against me, yet I won,” he said.

Wike also rejected claims by former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his supporters that Obi won the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State.

He argued that popularity at rallies or victories in a few polling units cannot determine the overall outcome of an election.

“They won in their imagination. Nobody declared them to have won,” Wike said.

The minister pointed out that Rivers State has more than 7,000 polling units spread across 23 local government areas, stressing that all results must be collated before anyone can claim victory.

He said claims of victory based on results from a limited number of polling units did not convince him.

“Out of over 7,000 polling units, until all results have come in, even if 200 polling units come out and say Obi or Atiku has won, it does not convince me,” he said.

Wike also dismissed the importance of social media popularity when it comes to determining election results.

“You can win on social media, but I am not interested in social media winning. I am interested practically in the results on the ground, who won, and who was declared,” he added.