Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he is covertly backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that his political support for the President has been open, consistent and well known to Nigerians.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, made the clarification during an end-of-the-year media interaction in Port Harcourt on Monday, while responding to comments credited to Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, about politicians allegedly engaging in “corner-corner” or secret political alliances.
The remarks followed recent political developments in Rivers State, including Governor Fubara’s defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) after a closed-door meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja. The move has been widely interpreted as a strategic realignment ahead of future elections.
Earlier in December, during the inauguration of the extension of the dualisation of the Ahoada–Omoku Road, Governor Fubara publicly declared his support for President Tinubu, unveiling a praise song in the President’s honour and urging supporters to be open about their political allegiance.
Reacting to the development, Wike said there was nothing secretive about his own position, stressing that he has never hidden his political choices.
“I don’t know who is supporting Tinubu that is doing corner-corner. The whole of Nigeria knows that I am the number one supporter of Tinubu,” Wike said. “When the entire PDP accused me of working for Tinubu, how could that be secret?”
He explained that his political philosophy is rooted in transparency and consistency, noting that trust in politics is often eroded when leaders fail to honour their words.
“Once I say this is what I will do, I will do it. I don’t want to be that politician who says one thing and does another,” he added.
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The FCT minister also addressed reports of political tension in Rivers State, particularly allegations that he has been interfering in meetings involving in the governor and the state House of Assembly. Wike acknowledged the existence of disagreements but maintained that he has played a conciliatory role.
“The governor cannot say I have not brokered meetings between the Speaker and the House leadership, or between elders of the state, meetings which he attended,” Wike said, adding that some sensitive issues were better resolved privately.
“In politics, all can never be well. But that does not mean people are fighting,” he said, calling for maturity in managing political differences.
Wike’s comments come amid heightened political realignments in Rivers State, as alliances shift and party loyalties continue to evolve ahead of the next electoral cycle.