The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, asserts that he stands by his decision to support Bola Tinubu’s presidential candidacy without any regrets.
Wike, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), endorsed Bola Tinubu from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2023 election, resulting in the APC securing victory in the oil-rich state for the first time.
Even months after Tinubu’s win and subsequent appointment of Wike as a minister, the former Rivers State governor remains steadfast in his support, undeterred by criticism.
“I stand for it. I have no regret at all and that is why I will continue to support the government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu,” he said during a visit to the APC Zonal Vice President Victor Giadom in his Bera hometown of Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
“I have no regrets when I stood by with my colleagues and friends that the presidency must go to the south,” the minister said.
“There was nothing I was not offered. But I said no. That is why I will continue to support the government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu. As I am going back home, I am going with the satisfaction that my friend is back.”
‘We’ll Show Them Who Is Who’
During the Saturday gathering, the ex-governor urged politicians to focus on making a positive impact, disregarding criticisms on social media. He emphasized that when the political season arrives, he will demonstrate his full capabilities.
Wike, who is at loggerheads with his successor, appeared to take a swipe at the peace deal between himself and Governor Sim Fubara, saying “when the time comes, we’ll show them who is who. It’s not by making noise on social media. We did not campaign on social media, we campaigned by talking to our people.”
“We have no time for politics. This is not the time for anybody to say: ‘I am for this, I am for that’. We have not reached that time. When the time comes, we will know who is who,” he added.
Among the notable attendees at the event were former Abuja Senator Philip Aduda, Senators Barry Mpigi and Allwell Onyeso representing Rivers South East and Rivers East, respectively. Also present were Senator Sam Anyanwu, Senator Sandy Onor from Cross River state, and Dan Orbih, the South-South PDP Vice President, among others.