Nyesom Wike Declares Vindication as Okowa, Oborevwori Back President Tinubu

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the recent endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by former Vice Presidential candidate Ifeanyi Okowa and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori validates his political decisions during the 2023 general elections. Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, made this assertion in a statement released Wednesday night, April 23, 2025, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

The statement has sparked renewed debate within political circles, as Wike openly celebrated what he termed a “vindication” of his controversial choice not to support the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the last election.

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Wike pointedly referenced the recent actions of Okowa and Oborevwori, both top PDP figures from Delta State, who have now expressed public support for President Tinubu. He emphasized that their shift in allegiance confirms the foresight he claims to have demonstrated in 2023.

“It is another endorsement of the president’s good governance and commitment to the development of the country,” Wike stated. “It is a vindication of the position I took in 2023, which was based on the interest of a united Nigeria.”

The endorsement by Okowa is particularly notable, given his former role as the running mate to Atiku Abubakar. Their alignment with Tinubu signals a significant political shift that could reshape the dynamics within the PDP and beyond. Wike’s comments highlight his belief that the endorsements are not mere political conveniences, but signs of broader recognition of President Tinubu’s performance in office.

Wike further urged Nigerians still undecided in their political loyalties to align with what he called the “Renewed Hope train”—a reference to Tinubu’s administration slogan.

“They have come out at the right time to show support for the President so that the people of Niger Delta can benefit more from the government,” he remarked. “I am particularly happy that what I saw before the 2023 presidential election, others are now seeing.”

With Nigeria’s political landscape constantly evolving, Wike’s public statements may be aimed at strengthening his influence within the current administration while positioning himself as a prophetic voice of political clarity. However, critics argue that these moves reflect deeper fractures within the PDP and ongoing realignments as leaders reassess their roles in a post-2023 Nigeria.

As the political tide shifts, Wike’s remarks underscore the growing trend of high-profile defections and the strategic recalibrations among Nigeria’s political elite—particularly in the South-South region, where power plays are intensifying.