Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Nyesom Wike, has explained his decision to support President Bola Tinubu, saying he would be among the first politicians targeted by opposition figures if the President loses power. Wike made the remarks during his monthly media parley with journalists, aired by TVC from 9:28 News on Wednesday, September 2, 2026.
While speaking about the political activities of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar and Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate Peter Obi.
According to Wike, his support for President Tinubu is not based on fear of political opponents but on his assessment of what could happen to him if the President fails to retain power. “But, you see, in politics, I’m not a threat. My concern is I will support Mr. President. The reason I am doing that, if you watch what’s happening today, and look at it,” Wike said.
He warned that if anything happened and President Tinubu failed, he believed Atiku and Obi would make him one of their primary political targets. “If anything happens and Mr. President fails today, I will be the first politician that Atiku, Obi will hunt for his head. I will be the first politician. I challenge anybody,” he said.
Wike said the possibility was one reason he would not make what he described as a political mistake by abandoning his support for the President. “So, I don’t make that mistake. So, Mr. President, no, because I don’t want to cut my head,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor also said he was not concerned by politicians who opposed him, insisting that he had consistently expressed his political position openly. “And these people, I don’t think we have anybody in this country today. I come out, I don’t hide my feelings,” Wike said.
He further questioned the extent to which other governors had faced the kind of political criticism and opposition he claimed to have experienced. “I said, how many governors have they called names? The way my day has been,” he added.
Wike reiterated that his primary political objective was to support President Tinubu, saying opposition to him would not change that position. “So, I’m not bothered about people who say they are against me. I don’t need to. My business is, I said, I’m going to support Mr. President,” he said.
However, Wike rejected the suggestion that his support for Tinubu should automatically prevent the PDP from fielding candidates in some states. “So, you cannot tell me, because I am supporting Mr. President. Therefore, PDP cannot fill candidates in some states,” he said.