FCT minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed claims that his decision to work with President Tinubu and the APC is about protecting his position. He says he takes “serious exception” to that suggestion and insists he was never offered a job in exchange for his support during the 2023 presidential election. He maintains that he backed Tinubu because he believed the president could stabilise the country, not because of any secret bargain.
Wike points out that this is not his first time in the federal cabinet and that his political career does not depend on a single appointment. He recalls that he served as minister of state for education before becoming governor of Rivers State and later returning as FCT minister. For this reason, he says he cannot behave like someone who flatters leaders just to stay in government.
The minister urges Nigerians to move away from the assumption that every political decision is driven by fear or selfish gain. He says leaders should be judged by whether they keep their public promises rather than by rumours about trading loyalty for positions. According to him, when he announced that he would support Tinubu, there was no condition that he must be kept in office.
Nyesom Wike said: “Is my decision to work for the APC born out of a need to keep my job? I take exception to that. I’ve been a minister before – the problem we have in this country is that you think you must be a sycophant before you get a job. I did not say, ‘if I support President Tinubu and he wins, he must give me so‑and‑so.’ No way. I was a minister, I was a governor, now I’m a minister again – am I going to die in this position? Keeping a job should not arise at all…. Discover More
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