By Sarah NEGEDU
President Bola Tinubu, on Saturday, joined political leaders and associates to celebrate the 58th birthday of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised Wike’s resilience, leadership, and transformative impact across the FCT, describing him as “an audacious top performer who defies obstacles and delivers results.”
The President highlighted Wike’s role in breaking a 14-year logjam in the construction of the Apo-Karshi road and other key infrastructure projects, adding,
“Nyesom Wike has been one of the shining stars in the cabinet, an exceptional performer, developing infrastructure in the Federal capital as never seen before and proving that his moniker as ‘Mr Project’ is not limited to his home state of Rivers.”
Some political associates of the minister who showed up at his Abuja residence very early on Saturday, extolled the Minister as an astute politician and consistent achiever.
Ambassador Desmond Akawor, Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors, described him as the “naked wire” of Rivers politics, adding: “President Bola Tinubu picked the right product from the PDP to work with.”
Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, who led 27 members of the state assembly, thanked Wike for being “a leader with a strong shoulder for everyone to lean on.” He vowed, “Wherever our leader (Wike) goes, we will follow him, whoever he is supporting, we will also support.”
On his part, the Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government and the Rivers State Association of Local Government of Nigeria, ALGON, Hon. Allwell Ihunda, praised Wike as a consistent and compassionate leader.
Meanwhile, the celebrant in his response, reflected on his political journey, maintaining he has no regrets openly supporting President Tinubu since 2022.
Wike stressed that his stance remained consistent before, during, and after the 2023 presidential election.
He recalled that during the build-up to the 2023 presidential election, he was the only leading figure from the main opposition party, who openly declared support for President Tinubu, a decision he said was based on equity, fairness and justice, as well as his conviction that power should shift to the South.
Wike also highlighted his leadership during the elections in Rivers State, where the APC won the presidential poll while the PDP retained victories in the governorship, National Assembly, State House of Assembly, and local government elections under his watch.
Wike, who described criticism and abuses as one of the things that keep him going, added that he has never been bothered by those who abuse and criticise him.
While acknowledging the support of his political family and associates in shaping his leadership journey, Wike pledged to continue collaborating closely with them in the interest of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
The gathering which drew leaders from across political divides also had in attendance the factional National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the PDP, Mohammed Abdulrahman, PDP factional Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, PDP National Vice Chairman (South South) Chief Dan Orbih, his APC counterpart Hon. Victor Giadom, former Governor of Abia State Dr Okieze Ikpiazu, and Senators Sandy Onor, Magnus Abe, George Sekibo, Bari Mpigi, Philip Aduda, among others.
