The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed suggestions that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is being influenced by a circle of power brokers, declaring that the president is firmly in charge of his administration.
The minister made the disclosure on Thursday while delivering the 2025 OAU Distinguished Personality Lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.
“He has shown that he has the courage. Under Tinubu, there is nothing like cabal. This is a president that is in charge,” Wike said.
Addressing a gathering of scholars, students, and dignitaries at the prestigious event, the former Rivers State governor and senior advocate offered a robust defence of President Tinubu’s leadership style, lauding his decisiveness on key economic reforms.
Wike pointed out that no previous Nigerian presidents, including Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, had the boldness to tackle sensitive economic policies such as fuel subsidy removal and the unification of foreign exchange rates.
“So many people would still be benefiting from fuel subsidy fraud had Tinubu not removed it,” the minister stated, defending what he described as a necessary step in sanitising Nigeria’s economic structure.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s post-independence journey, Wike acknowledged the country’s historic underperformance across multiple sectors, describing the cracks in the nation’s unity as “visible and widening.” Nevertheless, he expressed optimism that with sound leadership, collective sacrifice, and a shared national vision, the country could still reach its full potential.
“The desired Nigeria won’t fall from heaven but will require the vision, sacrifice, hard work and purpose of all citizens. Let us leave for the next generation resolves and not regrets,” he charged.
Wike also dismissed calls for his removal, maintaining that he remained committed to fulfilling his mandate.
He said there is something wrong with those who claim he lacks the capacity to deliver.