Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has described himself as the “most abused politician in Nigeria” while reiterating his unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu.
He made the remarks on Saturday during a thanksgiving service organised by the South-South Development Commission’s Chibudom Nwuche and his family in Ochiba, his hometown in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking to a gathering of community members and well-wishers, Wike thanked the people of Ahoada East and West LGAs for their steadfast support.
“This is the first local government we are coming to say thank you for being there for us all through these years. You know, like the pastor said today, God detastes those who are ungrateful. And so for what you’ve done for us, for standing with us, we say thank you. Thank you, and thank you,” he said.
Recalling the 2023 elections, the FCT Minister praised residents for defending Tinubu’s mandate.
“You remember, in 2023, when it was tough, nobody knew what would happen in that election. Somebody was saying it would be difficult for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to win. But we all met, as leaders here, and you, to say in politics, we must take a stand and defend. We stood firm and said on your mandate we stand. And to the glory of God, we stood. And today, he is the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Wike added.
He commended residents for consolidating Tinubu’s mandate, while taking a subtle swipe at politicians, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who he suggested were slow to show support.
“So all these people you are now seeing singing ‘on your mandate we stand,’ that time, when they were needed most, they couldn’t come out to say, vote for Ahmed Bola Tinubu. Now that you stood and voted for him… we have come to tell you to remain strong,” he stated.
Wike also emphasised the importance of honouring agreements and staying consistent in political commitments.
“You know me, I believe in agreement. Anything you know you cannot do, don’t say it, don’t even enter into it. From January next year, politics will start. Nobody can use us. I have never hidden my position. Nigerians know. And you can attest to it. We have never wavered in support of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. If you want to know, after Bola Tinubu, the next most abused politician is me,” he said.
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The minister mocked local politicians who, according to him, resort to flattery or personal gain tactics.
“One thing you should know about Nigerian politics. How you can make money now for a universal state is like that. You go and say, this enough is enough for Wike. Who deal with Wike, they drop (dish out money). If you don’t say you will deal with Wike, you won’t get him. I hear we have about N600 billion somewhere. So just say we will deal with Wike. The moment you pronounce that word, something will come down,” he said in a teasing tone.
Earlier, Chibudom Nwuche lauded Wike for his contributions to the Ekpeye Kingdom, including the creation of seven first-class stools—an initiative previous governors had neglected.
“For the first time, Ekpeye had seven first-class stools. Before now, we only had one. Governors came and left. None of them agreed to elevate our stools. Only him (Wike) did that for us. Nobody who follows Wike can say that he hasn’t been impacted on positively. Nobody. That’s why you see, no matter where he goes, we shall go there,” Nwuche said, highlighting Wike’s developmental projects during his tenure as governor.