Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied claims that he is secretly supporting President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his political stance has always been public and consistent.
The former Rivers State Governor stated this while reacting to comments attributed to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, who suggested that some politicians were engaging in “secret” political alliances.
Earlier this month, Fubara formally dumped the Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress after a closed-door meeting with the President in Abuja, a move widely interpreted as a strategic attempt to secure political cover ahead of the next election.
Speking during the inauguration of the extension of the dualization of Ahoada-Omoku Road on December 10, the governor unveiled a new praise song for the President.
While addressing his supporters and residents of the community, Fubara said,“If you dey support Tinubu, no follow corner. We support Tinubu, we no dey follow corner,” as he directed a praise singer to perform the song.
Speaking in an end-of-the-year media chat on Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Wike said there was nothing secretive about his support for the President.
“I don’t know who is supporting Tinubu that is doing corner-corner. The whole of Nigeria knows that I’m the number one supporter of Tinubu.
“What is corner-corner when I have stated openly that this is what I will do?” he asked.
He noted that he had faced criticism from within the Peoples Democratic Party for his stance, but said it was a matter of principle.
“When the whole PDP accused me that I am working for Tinubu, how could that be corner-corner?” he asked.
The FCT minster stated that his political style is based on being open and keeping to agreements.
“Why most people don’t trust politicians is that people don’t keep to their word. I don’t want to be that politician. Once I say this is what I will do, I will do it,” he said.
He also addressed reports of tension within Rivers State political circles, particularly over allegations that he has been interfering in meetings involving the governor and the state legislature.
Wike acknowledged that political disagreements exist but said he has played a mediatory role in the state.
“The governor cannot say that I have not brokered meetings between the speaker and the leadership of the House. He cannot also say that I have not brokered meetings between the elders, which he attended,’’ he said.
The minister said some issues were better handled privately.
“There are things that shouldn’t come to national television. We should act like mature people,”he said.
Despite acknowledging friction, Wike said political disagreements were not unusual.
“In politics, all can never be well. But that does not mean people are fighting,” he said.
However, speaking in an end-of-the-year media chat on Monday in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, Wike said there was nothing secretive about his support for the President.
“I don’t know who is supporting Tinubu that is doing corner-corner. The whole of Nigeria knows that I’m the number one supporter of Tinubu.
“What is corner-corner when I have stated openly that this is what I will do?” he asked.
He noted that he had faced criticism from within the Peoples Democratic Party for his stance, but said it was a matter of principle.
“When the whole PDP accused me that I am working for Tinubu, how could that be corner-corner?” he asked.
The FCT minster stated that his political style is based on being open and keeping to agreements.
“Why most people don’t trust politicians is that people don’t keep to their word. I don’t want to be that politician. Once I say this is what I will do, I will do it,” he said.
He also addressed reports of tension within Rivers State political circles, particularly over allegations that he has been interfering in meetings involving the governor and the state legislature.
Wike acknowledged that political disagreements exist but said he has played a mediatory role in the state.
“The governor cannot say that I have not brokered meetings between the speaker and the leadership of the House. He cannot also say that I have not brokered meetings between the elders, which he attended,’’ he said.
The minister said some issues were better handled privately.
“There are things that shouldn’t come to national television. We should act like mature people,”he said.
Despite acknowledging friction, Wike said political disagreements were not unusual.
“In politics, all can never be well. But that does not mean people are fighting,” he said.
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