The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday criticised individuals he accused of benefiting from the sacrifices of others who openly supported and worked for the emergence of President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general elections.
“So, all these people now you are seeing singing ‘on your mandate we stand’, that time when they were needed most, they couldn’t do that.”
“They couldn’t come out to say ‘vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu,’” Wike told stakeholders after the annual Thanksgiving ceremony of the Chairman of the South-South Development Forum, Chibudom Nwuche, held in his hometown of Ochigba community, Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Wike, a dominant political figure in the South-South and a former leading member of the Peoples Democratic Party, played a controversial but decisive role in the 2023 elections by backing Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress while remaining within the opposition party.
His stance triggered widespread political debate across the country but proved crucial in Rivers State, where Tinubu secured an unexpected victory against prevailing political expectations.
According to the former Rivers State governor, many who now publicly declare loyalty to the President failed to show support when the political climate was tense and uncertain. He insisted that he and his supporters stood firmly by Tinubu throughout the challenging electioneering period.
“And to the glory of God, we stood, and ‘on your mandate we stand’ today is very strong. So you are the ones who made the mandate strong as far as Rivers State is concerned.”
Wike challenged those who have recently begun praising the President and aligning themselves with his mandate, questioning their absence during the critical moments of the 2023 election campaign.
“In 2023, it was difficult for so many people to come out and say, vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. But we did it.
“When it was tough for people to say ‘on your mandate we stand,’ we stood firm and said ‘on your mandate we stand,’” Wike said.
He assured his supporters that their loyalty and sacrifices would be rewarded, stressing that their efforts were instrumental in securing the President’s victory in the state.
“Now that you stood and voted for him and Rivers State won, I tell you, all your struggles will not go in vain,” he added.
However, the FCT minister did not mention the names of those he alleged had benefited from the sacrifices made by others during the 2023 elections.
What you should know
Nyesom Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 elections was one of the most significant political shifts of that period.
Despite remaining in the opposition PDP, Wike mobilised support for Tinubu in Rivers State, contributing to an unexpected electoral outcome. His comments reflect ongoing tensions within Nigeria’s political elite, particularly among those who opposed Tinubu initially but later aligned with his administration after victory.
The remarks also underline Wike’s continued influence in national politics and his determination to defend the political choices he made during the election.
