The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has refuted claims that he acted in bad faith or was “double-faced” during the 2023 presidential election.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Monday, Wike said he had always been transparent about his stance on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Wike insisted that he made his position known early and never misled the party.
“I take exception to people saying I’m double-faced. We must like people who will tell you what they will do and they will do it,” he said.
“I made it clear that I was not going to support Atiku. I did not attend their meetings and then do a different thing. I stood for equity, fairness, and justice — that it’s the South that should produce the presidency in 2023.”
He emphasized that his decision to support Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was based on his belief in Tinubu’s capacity to lead the country effectively.
“From day one, I said no, I am not going to support them. Who am I going to support from the South — in my opinion — who stood a chance to win the election and has the capacity to move Nigeria forward? That was my own judgment, and I was right. Tinubu won the election,” he added.
Wike’s comments come amid ongoing speculation over his political alignment and future ambitions, particularly as tensions within the PDP persist.
