Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged unapologetic support for candidates backing President Bola Tinubu’s agenda in next week’s Area Council elections.
The Minister said he will do so, regardless of party affiliation.
Speaking at the 60th birthday celebration for Senator Sandy Onor in Abuja, Wike declared: “We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on 21 February, and I have a duty to support any candidate that supports President Tinubu to win.
“It is also my duty to ensure that any candidate who is not supporting Tinubu does not win.”
The event doubled as a platform for Minister Wike to hail Onor, a former Cross River State governor hopeful and PDP stalwart, as a “credible ally” and “trustworthy friend”.
“I will continue to be with you and work with you,” Wike told him, adding that Onor would stand by his family even in his absence.
Born on 14 February 1966 in Ikom, Cross River State, Onor rose from the University of Calabar’s lecture halls to the Nigerian Senate, embodying “a life devoted to learning, leadership, and the advancement of society”, according to Prof Anthony Eyang, who read the citation.
Tributes poured in from political heavyweights.
In his remarks, Senator Philip Aduda, event planning chairman, framed it as thanksgiving for Onor’s academic and political journey.
Former Benue State governor Samuel Ortom called him an “icon” and “good man”.
Chief Kalu Agabi, former Attorney General, praised his courage and intellect, noting Onor’s refusal to “stigmatise the constitution as a product of the military”.
Professor Dave Imbua, head of history at the University of Calabar, unveiled a Festschrift honouring Onor as a “notable historian”, with former Abia governor Okezie Ikpeazu—standing in for Wike—revealing a N50m contribution from the Minister and allies.
In his response, the celebrant reflected: “In my 60th year, I have realised it is good to be a man of excellence and character… but everything becomes insignificant if the finger of God is absent.”
