WIKE ENDORSES TINUBU FOR 2027, INSISTS SOUTH MUST COMPLETE EIGHT-YEAR TENURE

Read Time:1 Minute, 55 Second

By Aishat Momoh. O.

‎

‎The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to seek a second term in office in the 2027 general election, insisting that political power should remain in the South for a full eight years before rotating to the North.

‎Wike said his position was guided by the principle of equity and political understanding, stressing that loyalty to the zoning arrangement should transcend party affiliations.

‎“The South must complete their eight years, and completing the eight years it doesn’t matter which party we belong to, give Mr President the support to succeed,” Wike said. “In 2031, after the South must have completed its eight years through President Tinubu, we will know what next.”

‎The minister criticised individuals who, according to him, failed to support Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election but are now portraying themselves as loyal allies. He described such actions as opportunistic, insisting that Nigerians are not deceived by sudden expressions of support.

‎“No one can fool us with any emergency support for President Bola Tinubu. For us here, agreement is agreement,” Wike said. “We have been supporting the President since 2023. Your new sloganeering won’t help you.”

‎Wike made the remarks during visits to Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State, where he addressed supporters and recalled the political risks taken by his camp in backing Tinubu when the outcome of the 2023 election was uncertain.

‎He noted that the Ikwerre people stood firmly with Tinubu at a time when many others were hesitant, adopting the slogan “on your mandate we shall stand” when support for the President was still considered risky.

‎“In 2023, when it was difficult and people never knew that Mr President would emerge, we understood that politics is about risk,” Wike said. “The votes that made him win in Rivers State came particularly from Ikwerre.”

‎He added that true political commitment is demonstrated during challenging moments, not after victory has been secured.

‎“You take a stand when things are tough, not when food is ready,” Wike said. “We took this position when it was tough, and we are still standing by it.”

‎The minister’s latest endorsement further underscores his continued alignment with President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

‎