Calls for Wike’s sack grows louder as FCT minister abandons Abuja for Rivers politics

Nyesom Wike may be one of the ministers on the chopping block as rumors of President Bola Tinubu reshuffling his cabinet become more prominent in national newspapers.

Wike, the current Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, is the immediate past governor of Rivers State and a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain.

The minister has been in the news more for his involvement in Rivers State politics than for overseeing the Nigerian capital.

This has irked many Nigerians, especially residents of the FCT, as insecurity escalates in Abuja.

In the last month, 36 people have been kidnapped by bandits who have laid siege on the outskirts of the FCT.

Two of the victims have been killed in the last few days after their families failed to pay the ransom demanded by the bandits.

Ayo Oyalowo, a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, has said Wike is disinterested in governing the FCT.

Reacting to a video of Wike dancing at a political rally in Rivers state over the weekend, Oyalowo wrote on X:

“This man is completely disinterested in governing FCT, the security situation in Abuja has become so perilous but here is the so called minister, dancing all over Rivers State without any care in the world. 

“What kind of human being is this?”

Chinondu Wokocha, a political analyst, had earlier written: 

“Abuja is on Fire while FCT Minister Wike is in Rivers State looking for his lost Structure.

“He has been busy doing campaigns and consultations for the upcoming LGA election.

“They are not calling out Wike, whose position of a FCT minister is almost tantamount to a governor and doubles as the chief security officer of the FCT.”

Dr Dípò Awójídé, a UK-based Nigerian, wrote:

“Wike should stay at his duty post in Abuja, as should other ministers. They cannot be flying to their state almost every weekend like they are on holiday. There is serious work to be done in every sector, and it should be done round the clock, not part-time.”

Nafisa Atiku, an advocate for young people, wrote: 

“At the beginning of the minister’s administration, he came and tore down markets and spaces where people in the informal economy were using to meet their needs without a replacement.

“Now, the rate of crime in Abuja has increased. Why on earth is Wike still minister?”