Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has declared that no governor during his tenure in office confronted federal authority as firmly as he did.
Wike made the assertion on Monday while speaking during a media parley with selected journalists in Abuja.
The former Rivers State governor argued that leaders who enjoy the support of their people cannot be intimidated into compromising their convictions, regardless of external pressure.
According to him, strong public backing gives elected officials the confidence to resist political influence and stand by their decisions.
Wike also disclosed that the current Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, approached him during the 2019 general election to seek support for former President Muhammadu Buhari in Rivers State.
“I didn’t see any governor during my time who stood up to federal might the way I did. The moment you’re with the people, even if the American Marines show up, you will not succumb.
“In 2019, Senator Akpabio was Minister of the Niger Delta. He came to Port Harcourt to see me and begged me to allow President Buhari get 25%. I replied, ‘How would he get 25%? If it were by writing results, then I would write it. The only way he could get 25% is by voting,’” he said.
Wike served as Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, succeeding former governor Rotimi Amaechi before his appointment as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
