The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned that individuals who only began showing loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after his victory in the 2023 presidential election should not expect any political reward.
Wike stated that suddenly aligning with the President and repeatedly chanting the popular campaign slogan “On your mandate we shall stand” would not translate into recognition or support from the current administration.
The former Rivers State governor emphasized that his backing of Tinubu was not recent, stressing that he publicly stood with the President even when the outcome of the 2023 election was uncertain.
Wike made the remarks on Sunday while addressing political stakeholders in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State. He noted that the Ikwerre ethnic group played a decisive role in delivering votes for Tinubu during the election and vowed that the same level of support would be extended in 2027.
According to the FCT Minister, political commitments must be honoured, adding that he was among the first within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to insist that power should remain in the South for a full eight-year term, irrespective of party lines.
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Wike said politics requires courage and conviction, noting that the Ikwerre people took a calculated risk by supporting Tinubu when many doubted his chances.
“When things were difficult and uncertainty was high, we stood firm because we believed in the mandate,” he said. “It was the votes from Ikwerre land that largely secured his victory in Rivers State.”
Wike criticized those who, according to him, remained silent during challenging times but later emerged as vocal supporters once the political environment became favourable.
“You identify true allies when the situation is tough, not when everything is settled,” he stated, warning that political agreements must be respected.
He concluded by stressing that in Rivers State, commitments are taken seriously, adding that merely becoming an “emergency singer” of Tinubu’s campaign slogan would not offer any advantage.
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