Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has revealed that late President Muhammadu Buhari once pleaded for a portion of Rivers State votes during the 2019 presidential election. The minister made this disclosure during a media chat on Monday, June 1, stating the request came through Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who was then serving under Buhari as Minister of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
According to Wike, Akpabio approached him in Port Harcourt to ask for 25 percent of the votes from Rivers State for Buhari. At that time, Wike was the governor of Rivers and was also seeking re-election. The minister recounted that he told Akpabio that Buhari could only secure such a percentage if the election results were written by him, and that the people would not vote for the president. He emphasized that the only way to win votes is to connect with the people, a strategy he claimed to have mastered.
Wike's Political Clout in Rivers
Wike boasted that his closeness to the people of Rivers State gave him a significant advantage in the politics of the South-South region. He also recalled that during his tenure as governor, no opposition governor challenged the federal government as fiercely as he did. The minister's remarks have sparked widespread reactions among Nigerians.
Public Reactions to Wike's Revelation
Several Nigerians took to social media to comment on Wike's statements. Ugonna Valentine argued that Buhari was a democrat who allowed opposition to thrive, despite being a poor president. Ife Akintunde criticized the minister for using taxpayers' money for frequent media chats, calling it wasteful. Festus Adejuwon warned Wike against involving the United States in his political games, suggesting it could backfire. Emiibok pointed out a factual error, noting that Akpabio was not a minister before the 2019 election but was contesting for the Senate after resigning as minority leader.
The video of Wike's interview has been circulated on social media platforms, drawing further attention to his claims. The minister's statements continue to generate debate about political alliances and electoral strategies in Nigeria.
