Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike reckons he’s the nation’s second-most vilified politician, right behind President Bola Tinubu.
He also told the crowd that, come January 2026, the real politicking in Rivers State will officially kick off.
Wike spoke during a thanksgiving service thrown by former Deputy Speaker Chibudom Nwuche and family in Ochiba, Ahoada East, on Saturday. The ex-governor said he still keeps his word and won’t budge from backing Tinubu.
He thanked Ahoada East and West residents for years of loyalty.
“This is the first local government we’ve visited simply to say thank you,” he told them. “As the pastor reminded us, God can’t stand ingrates. For everything you’ve done, we’re grateful.”
Recalling the 2023 election, Wike praised locals for holding the line when the outcome looked shaky.
“You remember 2023 when things were rough and nobody knew where the vote would land. Some swore Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu couldn’t win, and plenty stayed home. But we leaders met and agreed: in politics you pick a side and defend it, good or bad. We said it would turn out well, and we stuck with it. When it counted, we stood firm — ‘on your mandate we stand.’ Today, he’s President and Commander-in-Chief.”
Wike said Rivers people gave that mandate its muscle. “You’re the ones who made it count here,” he added.
Without naming names, he jabbed at recent defectors who now chant pro-Tinubu slogans.
“All those guys belting out ‘on your mandate we stand’ when we needed them most, they couldn’t sing a word. They didn’t dare ask anyone to vote for Ahmed Bola Tinubu. Now that you delivered the votes, we’re here to say stay strong.”
He closed with a reminder that deals must be kept. “You know me — I respect agreements. If you can’t deliver, don’t promise. From January, full campaign season starts. Nobody will use us. I won’t say ‘yes’ today and flip tomorrow — no, I can’t.”
