Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to comments by Rivers State Governor Sim Fubara, who recently claimed that some supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar are now backing President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at a New Year banquet on Thursday in Port Harcourt, Fubara mentioned that figures such as Prince Uche Secondus, Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, Alabo Abiye Sekibo, and former Governor Sir Celestine Omehia have shifted their support to Tinubu.

Reacting to the claim, Wike dismissed it, pointing out that these individuals had failed to deliver even 10 percent of the votes for Atiku in the 2023 presidential election.

Addressing residents in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) Local Government Area of Rivers State yesterday, Wike assured that Tinubu would receive the necessary backing to secure victory in the 2027 presidential election.

He said: “I heard someone say, ‘Oh, those who wanted Atiku are back.’ But they couldn’t even give Atiku 10 percent of the votes in 2023. What political advantage is there in that? I won’t call their names, but you all know who they are. We will ensure that Tinubu receives full support.”

Wike also criticized the Ohanaeze President-General, John Mbata, for describing him as a “semi-illiterate.” He countered: “Ordinarily, I wouldn’t bother, but I must respond. Someone who was a former senator called the FCT Minister a semi-illiterate, yet that same person dropped out of Rivers State University while studying law. I, on the other hand, completed my degree at the University of Port Harcourt, attended law school, and today, I am a life bencher. The so-called ‘semi-illiterate’ holds the fourth highest national award in Nigeria.”