By PHILIP YATAI

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says he will support only candidates that support President Bola Tinubu’s reelection, irrespective of political party in the FCT area councils’ election, scheduled for Feb. 21.

Wike stated this in Abuja on Saturday night, during Sen. Sandy Onor’s 60th birthday, a celebration of six decades of scholarship, leadership, service and meaningful impact.

The Minister, who said he owed no one an apology for supporting Tinubu, promised to support any candidate that supports the President at all cost.

“We have the FCT Area Council election coming up on Feb. 21 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 that is not supporting Tinubu does not win in the election, and I owe no apology on my stand,” Wike said.

Speaking on the celebrant, the Minister described him as a “credible ally, a trustworthy friend and good brother”.

According to him, Onor is not just a friendly but a reliable friend, even in times of trouble “when you know who is a friend.

“I will continue to be with you and work with you, because I know even if I am not alive today, you will not abandon my family.”

Reading the citation of the celebrant, Prof. Anthony Eyang said that Onor, born on Feb. 14, 1966 in Ikom, Cross River, was raised in an environment deeply rooted in community values, discipline and faith.

Eyang said that the journey of Onor, a Professor of History began from the lecture halls of the University of Calabar to the floor of the Nigerian Senate, and onward to Cross River politics.

“This reflects a life devoted to learning, leadership, and the advancement of society,” he said.

Earlier, Chairman planning committee, Senator Philip Aduda, said that the event was a thanksgiving of God’s faithfulness on Onor’s life both as an academic and a politician.

On his part, Mr Samuel Otom, former governor of Benue, described Onor as an “icon”, a great Nigerian, and a man who had prepared himself and fit for leadership.

Otom, who stood in for the Chairman of the Occasion, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, former governor of Abia State and Ambassador designate, equally described Onor as a “good man.”

Also, former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) described the celebrant as a courageous and intelligent man.

“I love Sen. Sandy Onor because he is not one of those who stigmatise the constitution as a product of the military,” he said.

Prof. Dave Imbua, Head of Department of History and International Studies, University of Calabar, while presenting a Festchrift, a book written by scholars in honour of the celebrant, said Onor has remained a notable historian among academics.

The book was unveiled by Ikpeazu, on behalf of Wike and his friends, with N50 million.

In his remarks, the celebrant said he had realised in his 60th year of life that it was good to be a man of excellence and a man of character, adding that hard work always pays.

Onor, however, said that: “everything becomes insignificant if the finger of God is absent in one’s life”.

He thanked his family, friends and well-wishers for the show of love, adding that their support would not be taken for granted. (NAN)