The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said he has no regrets openly supporting President Bola Tinubu since 2022, maintaining that his stance remained unchanged before, during and after the 2023 presidential election.

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, the minister spoke at a special event organised to mark his 58th birthday, saying his political choices were anchored on character and integrity.

According to the statement, Wike said he never hid his support for President Tinubu, stressing that his position was made clear from the outset.

He recalled that ahead of the 2023 presidential election, he was the only prominent figure within the main opposition party who openly declared support for Tinubu, a decision he said was driven by equity, fairness and justice, as well as his belief that power should shift to the South.

Wike further argued that his leadership capacity was evident during the elections in Rivers State, where the All Progressives Congress won the presidential election, while the Peoples Democratic Party secured victories in the National Assembly, governorship, State House of Assembly and local government polls under his watch.

The birthday celebration, held in the early hours of Saturday at Wike’s residence in Abuja, attracted political leaders across party lines who gathered to honour the former Rivers State governor and current FCT minister.

Among those in attendance were National Assembly members from Rivers State, serving and former lawmakers, members of the Rivers State House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Martins Amaewhule, chairmen of local government areas, as well as close friends and political associates.

Several speakers took turns to praise the minister, describing him as an achiever and astute politician with visible impacts nationwide, urging him to remain steadfast while assuring him of their continued support.

Rivers State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Ambassadors and former PDP chairman, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, described Wike as the “naked wire” of Rivers politics.

Akawor, a former Director-General of Wike’s 2015 governorship campaign, said the minister’s achievements showed that President Tinubu “picked the right product” from the PDP to work with.

Also speaking, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, who led 27 lawmakers to the event, thanked Wike for being a dependable leader.

He pledged the continued loyalty of the Assembly members, saying, “Wherever our leader (Wike) goes, we will follow him; whoever he is supporting, we will also support.”

Chairman of Port Harcourt City Local Government and Rivers State Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, Hon. Allwell Ihunda, who spoke on behalf of council chairmen, described Wike as a consistent and compassionate leader.

Other dignitaries at the event included Chairman of the PDP National Caretaker Committee, Mohammed Abdulrahman; PDP Board of Trustees Chairman, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa; PDP National Vice Chairman (South South), Chief Dan Orbih; APC chieftain, Hon. Victor Giadom; former Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu; Senators Sandy Onor, Magnus Abe, George Sekibo and Bari Mpigi, among others.

Responding, Wike thanked his political family and associates for standing firmly with him, acknowledging their role in shaping his leadership journey.

He said he remained fulfilled working with his people and pledged to continue collaborating with them in the interest of Rivers State and Nigeria.

The minister, who described criticism and abuse as part of what motivates him, added that he has never been bothered by those who criticise him.

The event concluded with special prayers for Wike and his family.

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