The FCT minister said he would rather concentrate on Rivers State and the FCT than pursue the position of campaign director-general.

“What’s important is that you are able to deliver those two states. So it’s not about being DG. If you’re DG and you don’t win your state, what’s the essence of the DG?” Wike said.

“I don’t want to lose my state,” he added.

The proposed arrangement would therefore give Wike a specific responsibility without placing him under the formal hierarchy of the APC.

His expected assignment is particularly significant because of his political influence in Rivers State, where he served as governor for eight years, and the FCT, where he has served as minister since 2023.

Wike has repeatedly claimed responsibility for the political structure in both territories and has promised to work for Tinubu’s victory in the presidential election.

During a recent media engagement, he described himself as the “General Commander of the Political Infantry” and insisted that occupying the office of governor was not the only way to remain politically influential in a state.

“You do not need to be governor before you can be in charge. I am the General Commander of the Political Infantry; therefore, I am in charge,” Wike said.

The minister has also drawn a distinction between supporting Tinubu for president and supporting individual candidates seeking other elective positions.

He recently said his support for the President should not be interpreted as an undertaking to help politicians win their respective state-level contests.

Wike said his focus would remain the presidential election and that politicians seeking victories in governorship and legislative elections should handle their own political battles.

“Rainbow coalition has nothing to do with the APC. Rather, it is our own way of mobilising support across political parties for Mr President, who has done well to deserve a second term,” Wike said.

The Rainbow Coalition promoted by Wike is made up of politicians and political interests from different parties who support Tinubu’s return to office in 2027.

However, the arrangement has created tension with some APC governors who have questioned the need for a separate political structure outside the party.

The disagreement became more pronounced after Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma, announced that APC governors had rejected the Rainbow Coalition.

Wike subsequently criticised some APC governors, including Uzodimma and Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

He accused some politicians of being more interested in being seen as the people working for Tinubu than in building genuine support for the President.

“You see, the problem with people, they want them to be seen, that they are the people working for the President. I don’t do that,” Wike said.

Under the new role, Wike would focus on Rivers and the FCT, while other senior members of the campaign would handle their own areas of responsibility.

Yari is expected to remain Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council.

However, the proposed structure is not expected to operate strictly through a single chain of command.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau are reportedly not expected to report directly to Yari despite their roles within the campaign structure.

Another prominent figure expected to play a major role in the campaign is Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Keyamo is being considered for a major spokesperson position in the campaign.

He has considerable experience in presidential campaign communication.

He served as a spokesperson and Director of Public Affairs during Tinubu’s 2023 presidential campaign.

He also played a senior communications role in former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2019 re-election campaign.

Keyamo later served as Minister of State for Labour and Employment under Buhari before becoming the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development under Tinubu.

He also directed that government flags across Adamawa State would continue to fly at half-mast throughout the mourning period as a mark of respect for the late statesman.

However, the governor clarified that the declaration would not affect essential services, directing workers in critical sectors to continue their duties.

The latest announcement follows Fintiri’s earlier declaration of three days of mourning after Tukur died on Saturday at the age of 90.

At the time, the governor had described the death as a major loss to Adamawa State and Nigeria, recalling Tukur’s long years of service in public life.Nigeria travel guides

“It is with deep sadness that I mourn the passing of Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, former Governor of Gongola State and an elder statesman whose contributions to our state and nation will remain indelible,” Fintiri had said.

The governor had also announced that government flags would be flown at half-mast throughout the mourning period.

“In his honour and in recognition of his selfless service, I have declared three days of mourning across Adamawa State, during which all government flags will fly at half-mast,” he said.

Fintiri further extended his condolences to Tukur’s family, associates and the people of Adamawa State, saying they were united in grief over the death of the former governor.

“My heart goes out to his family, associates, and the good people of our state during this period of grief,” he said.

Tukur’s family had announced his death in a statement signed by his son, Awwal D. Tukur, on behalf of the family. The statement said the former PDP chairman had “returned to his Creator” after a lifetime devoted to public service, business and community development.

The family described Tukur as a man whose influence extended beyond his immediate family to Adamawa State and Nigeria, citing his wisdom, generosity and commitment to national development.

It also expressed appreciation to Nigerians and others who offered prayers, condolences and support following his death.

Tukur was one of the prominent political figures from the old Gongola region and occupied several important positions during his decades in public and private life.

He served as the third civilian governor of the defunct Gongola State, an entity that existed before the creation of Adamawa and Taraba states. His tenure remains part of the political history of the region.

Beyond his role as governor, Tukur served as Minister of Industries during the military administration of former Head of State, General Sani Abacha. He was also involved in business and economic development activities and, in 2012, served as president of the Africa Business Roundtable.

Tukur later became national chairman of the PDP in March 2012, remaining in the position until January 2014 during a politically turbulent period in Nigeria.Nigeria travel guides

His death came shortly before his 91st birthday, which would have been celebrated on September 15.