Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has brushed aside claims by Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, that some supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have shifted allegiance to President Bola Tinubu.
Governor Fubara had made the claim while speaking at a New Year banquet in Port Harcourt on Thursday, stating that figures such as former PDP National Chairman Prince Uche Secondus, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Senator Abiye Sekibo, and former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, were now backing him and President Tinubu.
Reacting on Friday during an event in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike dismissed the political significance of the alleged defection, arguing that the individuals mentioned failed to deliver meaningful electoral support for Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 presidential election.
“I heard somebody say, ‘Oh, those who want Atiku are back,’” Wike said. “They couldn’t give Atiku 10 per cent in 2023, so what is the political advantage?”
The former Rivers State governor assured President Tinubu of his unwavering backing ahead of the 2027 presidential election, pledging to mobilise total support for his re-election.
“I won’t call their names, but you all know them. We will do all we can to ensure that we give Tinubu the total support that is required,” he added.
Wike also used the occasion to respond to remarks by the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Mbata, who reportedly described him as a “semi-illiterate.”
The FCT minister dismissed the comment as unfounded, recounting his academic journey and professional achievements.
“Ordinarily, I wouldn’t have bothered, but I must respond,” Wike said. “Someone who was a former senator called me semi-illiterate, yet he dropped out of Rivers State University while studying law. I graduated from the University of Port Harcourt, went to law school, and today I am a Life Bencher.”
He further noted, “This so-called semi-illiterate has the fourth-highest national honour in Nigeria.”
Wike’s comments come amid ongoing political realignments in Rivers State and renewed debate over alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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