Despite criti cisms from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, says he owes no apologies for supporting President Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
The decision, Wike said, was purely out of the quest to ensure equity and justice, adding that President Tinubu has the capacity and political will to take actions in the interest of all Nigerians.
The minister made the declaration while playing host to leaders of the All Progressives Congress APC from Rivers state, led by the National Vice Chairman, South South, Victor Giadom.
He pledged to mobilize electoral support for President Bola Tinubu in the next election, saying those who scored 2,000 in the 2023 elections would score next to nothing in 2027.
Promising to carry the Rivers APC and all Nigerians along, the minister said he would never discriminate against anyone on the basis of religion, ethnicity or political affiliations.
He said; “Let me say clearly and to the hearing of everyone: we owe a duty to continue to support Mr President irrespective of the political party we belong. It is not hidden, my position, and I owe nobody no apologies that I stand firm with him. I stand for equity, fairness and justice.
“I thank God today that the battle has ended to the glory of God. We are all members of the Nigerian state and therefore it is important for all of us to also understand that the Nigerian state does not belong to a particular person or group. A country of this nature, if A takes, the next opportunity should go to B. Inclusivity. So, I am not going to discriminate against anyone. I am here for Nigerians. I am here for those who are members of political parties and those who are not members of any political party.
“Mr President, having emerged, is not the President of APC. He is the President of Nigeria. Of course, while he is governing Nigeria, he must also take care of the interests of his political party, no one can argue that. It is natural. But when it comes to governance, Nigerians must benefit.
“The interest of Rivers state is key. What will benefit our state is what we must always project. I am not a member of the APC but I believe that the support for Asiwaju was necessary. Looking at all the candidates from the south, I knew that nobody could defeat Asiwaju. Capacity, political will to take actions, he has it.
“Most of you worked for Asiwaju. Those who didn’t work for Asiwaju we know. It was not hidden. It was clear.”
In his remarks, the National vice chairman of the All Progressives Congress, South-South, Victor Giadom, praised Wike for his decision to support the president and asked him to carry the Rivers APC along.
He said the visit was to congratulate Wike on his appointment and pledge the party support for him.
