Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress and Senator representing Edo North, Adams Oshiomhole, on Monday commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, for standing by him during what he described as a period of political isolation following his removal from office.
Oshiomhole spoke in Benin City during the handover of 54 construction equipment to the 18 Local Government Areas of Edo State, where he reflected on the events that trailed his exit as APC National Chairman.
The former Edo State governor said many members of his party distanced themselves from him after he was dismissed from the party’s top position.
“After I was dismissed as APC National Chairman, I became lonely, abandoned by my own party. People were afraid to visit me then because it could be termed anti-party,” he said.
According to him, Wike reached out at a time when others stayed away.
“But I got a call from a rare Nigerian who identifies with those who are lonely, and he invited me to Port Harcourt to commission a flyover. And that was not enough — this minister honoured me with the highest honour of Rivers State,” Oshiomhole stated.
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He added that although Wike once told him he had “celebrated” his political misfortunes, the FCT minister renewed his hope during the difficult period.
Oshiomhole also commended Wike’s leadership and political performance, particularly in the recent FCT local government elections, noting that coming second to the APC was no small feat.
He described Wike as the first person from the South-South geopolitical zone to serve as FCT minister in a manner that, according to him, has “refined and redefined the concept of development” in Abuja.
The senator further appreciated the relationship between the FCT minister and Edo State leaders, congratulating Wike and thanking the Edo State governor for sustaining the friendship.