Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has refuted assertions that he is secretly backing President Bola Tinubu, maintaining that his political position has consistently been open and clear.
The ex-governor of Rivers State expressed this in response to remarks linked to the current Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who indicated that certain politicians were forming “secret” political partnerships.
Earlier this month, Fubara officially left the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress following a private meeting with the president in Abuja, an action broadly seen as a tactical effort to gain political protection before the upcoming election.
While addressing the inauguration of the expanded dualization of Ahoada-Omoku Road on December 10, the governor introduced a new praise song for the president.
Speaking to his supporters and community members, Fubara remarked, “If you dey support Tinubu, no follow corner. We support Tinubu; we no dey follow corner,” as he directed a praise singer to perform the song.
During a media conversation at the year’s conclusion on Monday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, Wike stated that his backing for the president was not concealed.
“I don’t know who is supporting Tinubu that is doing corner-corner. The whole of Nigeria knows that I’m the number one supporter of Tinubu.
He mentioned that he had faced criticism from within the Peoples Democratic Party for his stance but said it was a matter of principle.
“When the whole PDP accused me of working for Tinubu, how could that be corner-corner?” he asked.
The former Rivers State governor stated that his political style is based on being open and keeping to agreements.
“Why most people don’t trust politicians is that people don’t keep to their word. I don’t want to be that politician. Once I say this is what I will do, I will do it,” he said.
He also addressed rumors of friction in Rivers State political circles, specifically charges that he interfered with meetings between the governor and the state assembly.
Wike recognized the existence of political conflicts but claimed to have served as a mediator in the state.
Despite admitting friction, Wike stated that political differences were not uncommon.
“In politics, all can never be well. But that does not mean people are fighting,” he said.
However, in an end-of-year media interaction on Monday in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, Wike stated unequivocally that his support for the President is not hidden.
“I don’t know who is supporting Tinubu that is doing corner-corner. The whole of Nigeria knows that I’m the number one supporter of Tinubu.
“What is corner-corner when I have stated openly that this is what I will do?” he asked.
He mentioned that he had faced criticism from within the Peoples Democratic Party for his stance but said it was a matter of principle.
“When the whole PDP accused me of working for Tinubu, how could that be corner-corner?” he asked.
The FCT minister disclosed that his political style is based on being open and keeping to agreements.
“Why most people don’t trust politicians is that people don’t keep to their word. I don’t want to be that politician. Once I say this is what I will do, I will do it,” he said.
He also addressed rumors of friction in Rivers State political circles, namely charges that he has interfered with meetings involving the governor and the state assembly.
Wike recognized the existence of political conflicts but stated that he had served as a mediator in the state.
“The governor cannot say that I have not brokered meetings between the speaker and the leadership of the House. He cannot also say that I have not brokered meetings between the elders, which he attended,’’ he said.
The minister stated that some topics were best handled discreetly.
“There are things that shouldn’t come to national television. We should act like mature people,” he said.
Despite admitting conflict, Wike stated that political differences were not uncommon.
“There is never a perfect situation in politics. But that doesn’t mean people are fighting,” he explained.
