Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed growing calls for his removal from the federal cabinet, insisting that only President Bola Tinubu has the authority to decide his fate.
Speaking on Sunday during a “thank-you” visit to Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in Rivers State, Wike said: “If my appointor believes that I cannot offer anything again, he has the right; it is not in your place to tell him what to do.”
The remarks come amid mounting political pressure from various interests urging Tinubu to sack the minister over the lingering political crisis in Rivers State. Wike said politics is driven by interests rather than sentiment, arguing that his supporters remain a decisive electoral bloc.
“Power is not given but taken,” he said, declaring that Obio/Akpor has historically shaped outcomes in Rivers politics, including governorship and senatorial contests. He warned detractors that insults would not translate into votes. “So, if you like, abuse us… after abusing us, come and look for our votes, and we will punish you with the votes,” he said.
Wike also used the visit to recommit to Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying the President “knows his worth” and has “done so much” for Rivers people, adding that the state would “return the favour” in 2027.
At the event, Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, underscored Obio/Akpor’s voting strength, stating the council accounts for over 684,000 votes out of about 3.5 million registered voters in Rivers State, and claimed no political force could ignore the area’s influence. “Just go home. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will do it,” Chinda told the minister.
Obio/Akpor council chairman Dr Gift Worlu described Wike as a “gift” to the local government and said support for Tinubu in 2023 had yielded “harvest of benefits,” pledging continued loyalty in 2027. Rivers Assembly Speaker Martin Amaewhule also assured Wike of backing and vowed stronger support for Tinubu’s second-term push.
Despite the political rhetoric, the controversy over the proposed “sack” remains unresolved, with critics arguing that Rivers’ prolonged tensions require de-escalation, while Wike’s camp frames the calls as partisan pressure that cannot override presidential prerogative.
