Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he entered into a financial or political deal with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2023 presidential election.
Wike made the clarification on Monday while featuring on Journalists Hangout on TVC in Abuja, insisting that he had never met Tinubu before the election and did not discuss any political arrangement with him.
According to the minister, he was once scheduled to travel to meet Tinubu, but the trip was aborted after the aircraft developed an engine problem shortly after take-off and had to return.
“I’ve never met him. We have never discussed,” Wike said.
He explained that he only met Tinubu later, when political figures began holding meetings in cities including London and Paris.
The FCT minister also denied allegations that he shared money to induce voters during the 2023 election.
“Not one dime, not a kobo,” Wike said. “I never did that and I will not do that.”
Wike said his political activities had always been guided by his convictions and relationships with his supporters, rather than financial arrangements.
He maintained that his approach to politics had remained consistent over the years and that his political decisions were based on what he believed was right.
The minister’s comments come amid renewed discussions over the political alignments and events that shaped the 2023 presidential election.
