Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has once again reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, declaring that he has no regrets about backing him since 2022.

Political Stance Unchanged

Wike made the statement during a special event to mark his 58th birthday at his residence in Abuja, where he addressed a gathering of political leaders, associates, and friends. According to a statement released by his spokesman, Lere Olayinka, Wike emphasized that his political decisions have always been rooted in character and integrity, noting that his support for Tinubu was clear from the outset, even before the 2023 presidential election.

He highlighted that, during the campaign, he was the only prominent figure in the main opposition party (PDP) who openly declared his support for Tinubu. This decision, he explained, was driven by his belief in equity, fairness, and justice, as well as his conviction that power should shift to the South.

Wike’s Leadership in Rivers State

Reflecting on his tenure as Governor of Rivers State, Wike pointed out that his leadership allowed the APC to win the presidential election in the state while the PDP emerged victorious in several other key contests, including National Assembly, governorship, State House of Assembly, and local government elections. He framed this as evidence of his leadership capacity and political astuteness.

Political Celebration at 58

At the birthday celebration, leaders from various political parties came together to acknowledge Wike’s contributions to Nigerian politics. National Assembly lawmakers, former and serving members of the Rivers State House of Assembly, local government chairmen, and other political figures gathered to celebrate his achievements.

Praise from Political Colleagues

Several speakers took turns to praise Wike for his consistent leadership, describing him as an astute politician whose influence is felt far and wide across the nation. Among those who spoke were:

• Ambassador Desmond Akawor, former PDP chairman and Director-General of Wike’s 2015 governorship campaign, who referred to Wike as the “naked wire of Rivers politics.” He praised Wike as a prime example of why Tinubu made the right choice by working with him.
• Martins Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, expressed his admiration for Wike’s leadership, stating, “Wherever our leader (Wike) goes, we will follow him.”
• Hon. Allwell Ihunda, Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government, lauded Wike as a leader who is consistent and compassionate, offering support for his leadership at all levels.

Wike’s Resilience Amid Criticism

Wike also responded to the criticisms and abuses he has faced throughout his political journey. He made it clear that such negative reactions have never bothered him and instead, they motivated him to keep moving forward. Wike described criticism as one of the things that keeps him driven, adding that abuses only fuel his determination.

A Vision for Continued Collaboration

As the event came to a close, Wike expressed his deep gratitude to his political associates and supporters for their unwavering loyalty. He reaffirmed his commitment to collaborating closely with them in the best interest of the people of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole.

The event concluded with special prayers for Wike and his family, marking another year of his political journey and continued influence on the national stage.