Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike,has dismissed criticisms trailing his political choices, insisting thatpolitics is driven by interests, power and the will of the people, notsentiment or emotions. The minister stated this on Sunday during a ‘thank you’visit to Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, his political base, where headdressed a supporters and political leaders. Wike stressed that his decision to venture into politics wasdeliberate and not accidental. To his distractors, the minister explained that he chose tobe a politician and not a pastor, a trader, a public commentator or journalist,urging them to allow him to play his politics. Wike said: “I did not say I wanted to be a journalist. I didnot say I wanted to shape public opinion through writing. I said clearly that Iwanted to be a politician and that is what I am.” He added that his visit to Obio/Akpor was borne out ofgratitude, noting that acknowledging support is a fundamental principle ofleadership. “This time, I called on you and you responded positively. Ifelt it was important to come back and say thank you. “When someone does good to you, you acknowledge it.Gratitude matters,” Wike said. According to him, there is no sentiment or emotion inpolitics, what matters is interest. He added that “power is not given but taken” saying, “forthe people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes a governorin Rivers”. “Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpormaking a pronouncement; nobody has become a senator of Rivers East withoutObio/Akpor making a decision. “So, if you like, abuse us, after abusing us, come and lookfor our votes and we will punish you with the votes. “Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ If myappointor believes that I cannot offer anything again, he has the right; it isnot in your place to tell him what to do.” He said that President Bola Tinubu knows his worth and assuch, does not need anybody to tell him what to do. The minister said that Tinubu has done so much for Riverspeople, stressing that the people would return the favour in 2027. Earlier, Mr Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the House ofRepresentative, pointed out that Obio/Akpor has over 684,000 votes out of the3.5 million registered voters in Rivers State. Chinda, who represents the LGA in the Green Chamber, saidthat with such voting strength, nobody would challenge the political power ofthe LGA in the state. “Just go home. Tell us what you want us to do and we will doit,” he told the minister. Chairman of the council, Dr Gift Worlu, described Wike as a“gift” to the LGA, the state and the country, due to his outstandingperformance in public service at the local, state and national levels. Worlu thanked the minister for the many things he had donefor the people of the LGA, adding that supporting the election of Tinubu in2023 had led to the harvest upon harvest of benefits to the people. He assured the minister that the people know where to go inthe 2027 presidential election in the state. Speaking on the gubernatorial election, the chairman said,“we do not know where to go yet, but we know where not to go”. Also, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, MartinAmaewhule, reassured the minister of the full support of people in the localgovernment area. Amaewhule added that members of the State Assembly wouldcontinue to pray for him and support his call for the reelection of Tinubu fora second term. “Tell Mr President that what we did for him in 2023 we willdo even better in 2027,” he said.
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