January 12, (THEWILL) — Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike has once again responded to critics of his abrasive and non-conformist politics and those people calling for his sack, saying that he has the right to determine who becomes governor of Rivers State, just as “it is” within the right of President Bola Tinubu to sack him if he so wished.
Wike stated this on Sunday, during a “thank you” visit to Obio-Akpor Local Government Area, his home LGA in Rivers State.
Stressing that since 1999, the people had not disappointed him, he declared: “Power is not given but taken. For the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes a governor in Rivers.”
The minister further added, “Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making a pronouncement. Nobody has become a senator of Rivers East without Obio/Akpor making a decision. So, if you like, abuse us. After abusing us, come and look for our votes and we will punish you with the votes.”
According to Wike, there is no sentiment or emotion in politics. What matters is interest; the interest of the people.
“There is no sentiment, there is no emotion. Politics is an interest; the interest of your people. Power is not given; we struggle for it. After all, if Donald Trump did not have power, would he go to Venezuela to pick a president? He wouldn’t. Because he has power, that’s why he can act,” Wike said.
“All these people commenting from the sidelines, ask them if their local government, which produced only 5,000 votes, can challenge one that produced 40 per cent of the votes. Let us see how it will work.”
THEWILL recalls that the FCT minister embarked on the tour of the 23 local government areas in the state in the wake of his renewed conflict with Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to reunite with his supporters and canvass support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general election. His declaration in Obio-Akpor LGA comes on the heels of last Thursday’s impeachment threat by the Amaewhule-led Rivers State House of Assembly against the Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu over alleged misconduct.
According to the Majority Leader of the House, Major Jack, who presented a notice signed by 26 lawmakers citing alleged charges, the lawmakers charged the governor and his deputy with various offences including extra-budgetary spending of over N800 billion without legislative approval, withholding of funds allocated to the Assembly Service Commission, demolition of the Assembly complex and defiance of Supreme Court rulings on legislative autonomy.
Speaker Amaewhule declared that the notices would be served within seven days, in line with the Constitution.
Given the protracted crisis and renewed tension in the state, some politicians and other interest groups have been calling on Tinubu to sack Wike. Notable among them is the National Secretary of the governing All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru.
The minister said that Tinubu knows his worth and as such, does not need anybody to tell him what to do.
The minister said that Tinubu had done so much for Rivers people, stressing that the people would return the favour in 2027.
To his distractors, the minister explained that he chose to be a politician and not a pastor, a trader, a public commentator or journalist, urging them to allow him to play his politics.
Earlier, Mr Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the House of Representative, had pointed out that Obio/Akpor had over 684, 000 votes out of the 3.5 million registered voters in Rivers.
Chinda, who represents the LGA in the Green Chamber, said that with such voting strength, nobody would challenge the political power of the LGA in the state.
“Just go home. Tell us what you want us to do and we will do it,” he told the minister.
Chairman of the Council, Dr Gift Worlu, described Wike as a “gift” to the LGA, the state and the country, due to his outstanding performance in public service at the local, state and national levels.
Worlu thanked the minister for the many things he had done for the people of the LGA, adding that supporting the election of Tinubu in 2023 had led to the harvest upon harvest of benefits to the people.
He assured the minister that the people know where to go in the 2027 presidential election in the state.
Speaking on the governorship election, the chairman said, “we do not know where to go yet, but we know where not to go”.
Also, Speaker of the Rivers House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, reassured the minister of the full support of people in the local government area.
Amaewhule added that members of the State Assembly would continue to pray for him and support his call for the re-election of Tinubu for a second term.
“Tell Mr President that what we did for him in 2023, we will do even better in 2027,” he said, adding, “On behalf of the RSHA, we assure you of our prayers and support as you continue to support Mr President. Don’t bother about detractors. The real people of Nigeria know your worth. They know you are helping the President deliver on the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Amaewhule said.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
