FCT Minister Nyesom Wike says the South must complete its eight-year turn in power and urges support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday said the southern part of Nigeria must complete two full terms of the presidency in the interest of fairness, equity and political balance.

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The minister made the remarks during special Christmas visits to Emohua and Ikwerre Local Government Areas of Rivers State, according to his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

Mr Wike said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a southerner, should be supported to complete his first term and be re-elected for a second term until 2031 in line with Nigeria’s informal power rotation arrangement.

“The South must complete their eight years. It doesn’t matter which party we belong to. Give Mr President the needed support to succeed,” Wike said.

He added that after 2031, political actors would be able to review the next phase of leadership.

“In 2031, after the South must have completed its eight years through President Tinubu, we will know what to do next,” he said.

Wike urged politicians to respect political agreements as a way of building trust, stability and confidence among political stakeholders and voters.

He recalled the political risks taken by the Ikwerre people in supporting Tinubu during the 2023 presidential election when the outcome was uncertain.

“In 2023, when it was difficult to campaign for Tinubu and when people were not sure he would emerge as president, the Ikwerre knew politics is about risk and they took the risk,” he said.

Wike said votes from Ikwerre played a major role in Tinubu’s victory in Rivers State and insisted that loyalty shown at critical moments should not be forgotten.

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“You take stands when things are tough, not when food is ready. We took this position when things were tough, and we are still standing by it,” he said.