Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has lauded the immediate past governor of Delta state, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, for expressing his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Wike also hailed the current Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, for his heart-warming decision to show support for Tinubu.

Legit.ng reported that Oborevwori, his deputy, and commissioners dumped the PDP for the APC on Wednesday, April 23, alongside Dr Okowa.

A clip of the governor being serenaded with On Your Mandate, the popular political tune dedicated to President Tinubu, has since gone viral on social media. Legit.ng reported that Festus Keyamo, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, was among Nigerians who reacted to the politicians defecting.

Wike gave the commendation in a statement signed by his senior special assistant on public communication and social media, Lere Olayinka, in Abuja on Wednesday.

“It is another endorsement of the president’s good governance and commitment to the development of the country.” Wike called on other Nigerians who are still sitting on the fence to throw in their support for the President, The Punch reported.

As reported by Vanguard, the minister described the open endorsement of the president by Dr Okowa, who was the running mate to Atiku Abubakar, as 'a vindication of the position I took in 2023, which was based on the interest of a united Nigeria'.

“I commend Dr Okowa and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori for this heart-warming decision, which must have been informed by good governance and commitment of President Bola Tinubu to the oneness and development of Nigeria.

“I am particularly happy that what I saw before the 2023 presidential election, others are now seeing and are joining the Renewed Hope train,” the minister said. This happened days after Wike criticised Abubakar, accusing him of dishonouring a key agreement reached in 2019.

The FCT Minister also defended his decision to back President Tinubu in the 2023 election, citing Atiku’s failure to honour his word. Wike, during a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, recalled how Atiku had made a promise to him but failed to do so.