Wike: I will support any candidate backing Tinubu’s re-election bid

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid, stating that he will back any candidate, regardless of party affiliation, who supports the President’s re-election.

Speaking at a media parley in Abuja on Monday, Wike said his position is consistent with the stance he took in 2023 when, despite being a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), he supported Tinubu’s presidential candidacy.

“I made it clear in 2023 that even as a PDP member, I would work for the President. I did so because I believed the other parties did not present serious candidates,” he said.

Wike criticised the internal state of his party, saying it had not learnt from past experiences. He said the PDP did not consult him in the selection of its candidates, despite his position as a serving minister.

“As a minister, my party did not consult me on the candidates they intended to present,” he said, adding that his political decisions would be guided by his assessment of national interest.

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He maintained that his support cuts across party lines. “I said I would support candidates who support Mr President for his re-election. It does not matter which party they belong to. If they support Mr President, I will align with them,” he said.

Commenting on the February 21, 2025 area council elections in the FCT, Wike said elections are a process that includes nomination of candidates, campaigns and voting.

Addressing criticism over movement restrictions imposed ahead of the polls, he said the directive was approved by the President for security reasons.

“Movement was restricted from 8 p.m. with presidential approval to prevent the influx of troublemakers and ensure public safety,” he said, noting that voting took place from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The minister also defended his visits to some polling units, describing them as part of his responsibilities as FCT’s chief security officer.

“I have delegated authority to act on behalf of the President. As chief security officer, I have a duty to assess the security situation. I visited about 10 polling units out of over 3,000. That could not have influenced the overall outcome,” he said.

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Wike denied allegations of electoral interference, stating that he was not on the ballot and did not campaign at polling units.

“I was not a candidate and did not direct anyone on who to vote for. My interest was to ensure security and order,” he said.

He also rejected claims of voter disenfranchisement.

“Disenfranchisement means people were prevented from voting. That was not the case. If a party was unprepared, that does not stop others from voting,” he said, urging aggrieved parties to seek redress at the election tribunal.

In the outcome of the polls, the All Progressives Congress (APC) won five of the six chairmanship seats across the FCT area councils Abuja Municipal, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali and Kuje while the PDP won in Gwagwalada.

Wike said his actions were consistent with his political position and administrative responsibilities.