KEY POINTS
- Asari Dokubo says President Tinubu earned his loyalty by supporting him during a difficult period of his life.
- The pledge was made during a visit by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to Dokubo’s palace in Rivers State.
- Wike urged the community to support Tinubu’s expected re election bid in 2027
Asari Dokubo, a traditional leader in Torusarama Piri and an activist in the Niger Delta, has promised to support President Bola Tinubu. He said this commitment is very personal and not just a business deal.
On Tuesday, Dokubo spoke at his palace in the Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State while the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, was there. He said that Tinubu stood by him through one of the hardest times in his life and that the president deserved his full support in return.
“He stood by me in my most difficult period, and it is now my turn to also stand by him and support him,” Dokubo said.
A Relationship Dating Back Decades
Dokubo said he had known Tinubu since 1992, long before he became a traditional leader or a national figure. He said that the bond came before power and titles, and he stressed that his support is not based on recent political calculations.
“I wasn’t a traditional king when we first met. He said, “I never thought I would become who I am today.” “I will be with you through everything that happens to make sure my friend, the president, succeeds.”
The comments come at a time when political groups are quietly forming ahead of the 2027 general election, even though official campaigns are still a long way off.
Wike said that part of his trip was to thank the people of Degema for their support and to tell them why they should keep supporting Tinubu’s leadership. He also took the time to wish the community a happy new year and thank them for the warm welcome he received.
Wike said to Dokubo, “You are my friend, and there is no way I would come to your kingdom without saying hello.”
Despite problems in his home state of Rivers, where political loyalties are still very divided, the FCT minister has become a key political ally of Tinubu.
