‘Where Were You in 2023?’ — Wike challenges Tinubu’s newfound loyalists in Rivers

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised individuals he accused of benefiting from the sacrifices made by others during the 2023 general elections without openly supporting the emergence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the time.

Wike spoke on Saturday while addressing stakeholders after the annual thanksgiving ceremony of the Chairman of the South-South Development Forum, Chibudom Nwuche, held at the Ochigba community in Ahoada East Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The former Rivers State governor, who played a controversial but decisive role in the 2023 elections, said many of those now publicly pledging loyalty to the President failed to stand by him when political support was most needed.

“So, all these people you are now seeing singing ‘on your mandate we stand’, at that time when they were needed most, they could not do it. They could not come out to say, ‘vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu’,” Wike said.

Despite being a prominent member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the time, Wike openly backed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that caused significant political tension nationwide. His support proved influential in Rivers State, where Tinubu recorded an unexpected victory.

According to Wike, while many politicians remained silent due to the tense political climate in 2023, he and his supporters stood firmly with Tinubu throughout the electioneering period.

“And to the glory of God, we stood. Today, ‘on your mandate we stand’ is very strong. You are the ones who made the mandate strong as far as Rivers State is concerned,” he said.

Wike questioned the credibility of individuals who have recently begun praising the President and claiming loyalty to his administration.

“In 2023, it was difficult for so many people to come out and say, ‘vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’. But we did it. When it was tough to say ‘on your mandate we stand’, we stood firm and said it,” he added.

The FCT minister assured his supporters that their sacrifices during the election would not go unrewarded.

“Now that you stood and voted for him and Rivers State won, I tell you, all your struggles will not go in vain,” he said.

Wike, however, did not mention specific individuals he accused of benefiting from the sacrifices made during the 2023 elections without openly supporting Tinubu at the time.

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