Wike Criticizes PDP, Reiterates His Support for Tinubu
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), criticized President Bola Tinubu’s party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on Monday while defending his continued support for the President.
Wike stated at a press conference in Abuja that his position should not come as a surprise because he publicly expressed it in 2023. “In 2023, I told you that I would work for the president despite being a member of the PDP. That’s what I did because I think the other parties didn’t have any serious candidates, and I’m right,” he said.
His criticism of the PDP’s internal problems became more acute. “As far as I’m concerned, my party doesn’t seem to have learned as I have stated multiple times. For that reason, I declared that I would back Mr. President for a second term,” he said. Additionally, Wike emphasized what he called the party’s snub: “As a minister, my party did not consult me on the candidates they were going to present.”
He clarified that his loyalty goes beyond party boundaries. “I declared that I would back candidates who back Mr. President’s reelection. Whichever party they are a part of is irrelevant. Of course, I’ll set up camp with them if they back Mr. President,” he said.
Regarding the FCT area council elections on February 21, 2025, where the PDP won Gwagwalada and the APC won five of the six chairmanship seats (Abuja Municipal, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje), Wike referred to elections as comprehensive processes. “Elections are a procedure. It starts with candidate nominations, moves through campaigns, and ends with voting. There is more to it than a single day,” he stated.
He defended the president’s safety-related approval of pre-election movement restrictions starting at 8 p.m. “For security reasons, movement was restricted starting at 8 p.m. with the president’s approval. According to him, it was done to make sure that no troublemakers were brought into the city to start a crisis.
He dismissed claims of disenfranchisement by pointing out that the election was held on Saturday and that voting took place between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. “You can’t claim that people were denied their right to vote. That is incorrect.”
Wike used his mandate when visiting polling places. “I have been given the authority. I have been granted a certain amount of authority to act on the President’s behalf.” He also denied accusations of rigging. “I didn’t appear on the ballot. I never advocated against voting for any candidate. I simply stated that I would back candidates who back the president.”
“Let me make this clear: I am a politician,” he said, unapologetically accepting his role. “Politics is about winning, which is why I decided to become a politician.” He denied accusations of voter suppression. “What does disenfranchisement mean? Does a party’s claim that it is unprepared for an election prevent others from casting ballots? People who are disenfranchised are denied the right to vote, which was not the case.”
Wike suggested that unhappy parties pursue legal action. “Anyone should go to the tribunal if they are unhappy. If a rerun is required, allow the tribunal to call off the election. The result won’t be any different.”
Additionally, Wike boasted that he would defeat any presidential contender, asserting that the Nigerian people’s unwavering love would bring him a resounding victory.
The FCT minister said, “Nigerians still love me, and they will vote for me massively if I run for president.” Asserting that his record as a former governor of Rivers State and current minister of the Federal Capital Territory speaks for itself, he emphasized his easy rapport with common people.
Wike went on to say that his supporters would still win even if the most recent Abuja council elections were held again.
The minister also reiterated his audacious forecast that Senator Ireti Kingibe would not run for office again in the 2027 elections as the representative of the Federal Capital Territory.
Despite ongoing disagreements with the Labour Party lawmaker regarding FCT governance and personal conflicts, he remained steadfast in his assertion, which was first made more than a year ago, promising no change of heart.
The minister who has openly challenged Kingibe to run again pledged to rally support from the general public in order to defeat her. “This is my territory,” he proclaimed, writing off her prior triumph as an anomaly which was unlikely to happen again.
