The FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed growing calls for his removal from office, insisting that only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the constitutional authority to sack him.
Wike made the remark on Sunday during a “thank you” visit to his Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor, in Rivers State. He said that since 1999, the people of the area had consistently stood by him and never disappointed him politically.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some politicians and interest groups have been urging President Tinubu to sack Wike over the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.
Reacting, the former Rivers governor said politics is not driven by sentiment or emotion but by interests, specifically, the interests of the people.
“There is no sentiment in politics. What matters is interest. Power is not given; it is taken,” Wike declared.
He boasted of the political influence of Obio/Akpor, saying the local government holds decisive power in Rivers politics.
“For the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes Governor in Rivers State. Nobody has become Governor here without Obio/Akpor making a pronouncement. Nobody has become a Senator in Rivers East without Obio/Akpor deciding,” he said.
Wike warned political opponents against underestimating the LGA’s strength.
“So, if you like, abuse us. After abusing us, you will still come to look for our votes, and we will punish you with those votes,” he added.
Addressing the calls for his sack, the minister was blunt: “Don’t bother about people shouting ‘sack him, sack him.’ If my appointor believes I can no longer offer anything, he has the right to do so. It is not your place to tell him what to do.”
According to Wike, President Tinubu understands his value and does not need external pressure to make decisions.
He also praised Tinubu for what he described as significant benefits delivered to Rivers State, assuring that the people would reciprocate the gesture in the 2027 general elections.
“To my critics, I chose to be a politician, not a pastor, trader, public commentator or journalist. Allow me to play my politics,” he said.
Earlier, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, highlighted Obio/Akpor’s political weight, noting that the LGA has over 684,000 voters out of Rivers State’s 3.5 million registered voters.
“With this voting strength, nobody can challenge the political power of Obio/Akpor in Rivers State,” Chinda said.
“Just go home and tell us what you want us to do, and we will do it.”
Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Gift Worlu, described Wike as a “gift” to the LGA, Rivers State and Nigeria, citing his record of performance at local, state and national levels.
Worlu said supporting Tinubu’s election in 2023 had yielded tangible benefits for the people and assured Wike that the LGA already knows where it stands ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“We know where to go in 2027. As for the governorship, we don’t know where to go yet, but we know where not to go,” he said.
Also speaking, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, pledged the continued support of the people and the legislature for Wike.
“Tell Mr President that what we did for him in 2023, we will do even better in 2027,” Amaewhule assured.
