By Ben Adoga, with agency report
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that the southern part of Nigeria must complete its two full terms of eight-year presidential slots in the spirit of fairness and equity.
Senior Special Assistant to the minister on Public Communications and Social Media, Mr Lere Olayinka, said Wike stated this position on Sunday, during his special Christmas visits to Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers.
While addressing the people, Wike maintained that President Bola Tinubu, a southerner, should be supported to complete his first term and re-elected for a second term until 2031, in line with the principle of power rotation in Nigerian politics.
He said party affiliation should not prevent anyone from supporting Tinubu’s second-term bid.
“The South must complete its eight years. It doesn’t matter which party we belong to, to give the President the needed support to succeed.
“In 2031, after the South must have completed its eight years under President Tinubu, we will know what to do next,” he said.
He advised politicians to honour political agreements to build the necessary trust, confidence, and harmony among political actors and the electorate.
He reminded the Ikwerre people of the risks they took to support Tinubu during the 2023 elections, when others were not courageous enough to do so.
“In 2023, when it was difficult to campaign for Tinubu and when people were not sure he would emerge as President, the Ikwerre knew politics is about risk and they took the risk.
“If you look at the votes that made Tinubu win in Rivers, the ballots were mainly from Ikwerre.
“So, when it mattered most, we stood on his mandate, not these people coming out now to shout on your mandate. When it was important, they couldn’t shout on your mandate.
“You take stands when things are tough, not when food is ready. We took this position when things were tough, and we are still standing by it,” Wike said.
*Praises Rivers lawmakers for backing Tinubu, democracy
Earlier, the Minister commended members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for their support for President Bola Tinubu, describing their actions as a firm defence of democratic principles and legislative independence in the state.
Wike gave the commendation during a visit to the lawmakers at the House of Assembly Quarters in Port Harcourt, a facility constructed in 2022 during his tenure as governor.
He said the legislators had demonstrated courage, trustworthiness and the capacity to stand for what is right, even under intense political pressure.
According to him, the Rivers Assembly members distinguished themselves by clearly asserting their constitutional role as a separate arm of government, rather than yielding to attempts to reduce the legislature to an appendage of the executive.
He described their stance as rare and commendable in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The FCT minister criticised the circumstances that led to the withholding of the lawmakers’ entitlements under Governor Siminalayi Fubara before the declaration of a state of emergency, arguing that denying elected representatives their dues for holding contrary views undermines democracy.
Wike said the lawmakers’ unity, supported by their families, enabled them to remain steadfast, stressing that political conviction cannot always be bought with money.
He noted that while financial inducement plays a role in politics, it has clear limits when confronted with principle and collective resolve.
Reflecting on his experience in public life, Wike said it was the first time he had seen legislators openly declare their position, defend it consistently, and accept the consequences.
He described the Rivers lawmakers as having stood out nationally as defenders of democracy.
He also praised the lawmakers for maintaining the Assembly quarters in excellent condition despite political challenges, saying it reflected leadership, discipline and a shared commitment to the development of the state.
