The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has clarified his decision not to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election. Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday, Wike attributed his choice to his commitment to principles of “equity, fairness, and justice.” Wike, a key figure in the PDP, made headlines during the election cycle partly due to allegations of anti-party activities after he endorsed the candidacy of Bola Tinubu, who eventually won the election under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike, who now serves under the administration of President Bola Tinubu, explained that his support for Tinubu’s candidacy stemmed from a belief in fairness, rather than any personal or political vendetta against the PDP. “For the presidential election, I said I am going to support equity, fairness and justice,” Wike said. He added that for the governorship race, he remained loyal to his party, which helped PDP win in Rivers State and secure his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “On the other one, I am going to support my party and that is why we won the governorship, National Assembly election,” Wike explained.
Addressing accusations of anti-party activities, Wike was firm in his stance, stating, “For presidential, I have no apologies because I don’t believe in injustice. Today people say ‘Discipline Wike, he did anti-party.’ I did not do anti-party. I have no regret at all.” He further reiterated his loyalty to the PDP, denying that his actions were intended to undermine the party’s efforts.
The minister also dismissed claims that he was an outsider in the PDP. “There is nobody, no governor today in PDP, not anybody born of a woman can say I am an outsider,” Wike stated, challenging anyone within the PDP to publicly dispute his standing within the party. “I dare anybody in the PDP to come out on national television. I dare any governor, I dare any National Working Committee member, to come out on national television to say I am a mole,” he added, emphasizing that he has always been a dedicated member of the party.
In addressing the issue of his ministerial appointment, Wike clarified that he had no hidden motives for accepting the position. “Before I took this appointment, I wrote to PDP. I wrote to PDP National; I wrote to PDP Zonal; I wrote to PDP in my state,” he revealed. He also noted that his governor, Fubara, had signed a letter in support of his ministerial appointment, adding that the PDP had nominated names for appointments by President Tinubu, a point he asserted was indisputable.
Wike concluded by pointing out that the issue in Nigerian politics often lies with people trying to manipulate others. “You see the problem we have in this country is that some people think they are too smart, they want to use people; I’m not that kind of person. What I want to do, I will do; what I will not do, everybody knows I won’t do it,” he said, making it clear that his actions were driven by principle and transparency rather than personal gain.
