The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must complete a full eight-year tenure, insisting that political agreements, particularly in Rivers State, must be respected.
Wike issued the warning on Sunday while speaking during his Christmas visits to Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State. He cautioned those he described as “emergency singers” of the slogan “On your mandate, we shall stand” not to attempt to rewrite political history through sudden public displays of loyalty to the President.
According to him, agreements are binding and cannot be nullified by late political alignment or slogans. He stressed that his political camp had consistently supported President Tinubu since 2023, long before the outcome of the presidential election became clear.
“For us here, agreement is agreement. You can be singing ‘on your mandate we shall stand’ today, which is fine, but we have been supporting the President since 2023. Your new slogans will not help you,” Wike said.
Addressing the Ikwerre people, the former Rivers State governor recalled that they took significant political risks by backing Tinubu at a time when many Nigerians were uncertain about the election outcome. He noted that Ikwerre votes played a critical role in Tinubu’s victory in Rivers State.
“In 2023, when it was difficult and people did not know that Mr President would emerge, we understood that politics is about risk. When it mattered most, we stood on his mandate, not now that food is ready,” Wike stated.
He emphasised that political loyalty is proven during difficult times, not after victory has been secured.
Wike further argued that power rotation must be respected, stressing that the South is entitled to complete its eight years in office through President Tinubu, regardless of party affiliations.
“The South must complete their eight years. It does not matter which party we belong to; we must support Mr President to succeed. In 2031, after the South has completed its eight years through President Tinubu, we will know what next,” he said.
