Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has responded to calls for his removal, saying it is within President Bola Tinubu’s rights to sack him if he can no longer contribute meaningfully.
Wike made the remarks on Sunday during a “thank you” visit to his Local Government Area, Obio-Akpor in Rivers State, stressing that the people have supported him since 1999.
Some politicians and interest groups have been urging Tinubu to sack Wike amid the prolonged political impasse in Rivers.
But the minister said sentiment and emotion have no place in politics, and what matters most is the interest of the people.
He added that “power is not given but taken”, emphasizing local political strength: “for the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes a governor in Rivers.
“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.
“So for the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes governor. 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. So, if you like, abuse us, after abusing us, come and look for our votes and we will punish you with the votes.”
“Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ 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,” he added.
Wike went on to say that Tinubu is aware of his value and does not need others to dictate presidential decisions. He also noted that Tinubu has done much for the people of Rivers, and predicted that they will reciprocate that support in the 2027 elections.
Addressing his critics, Wike reminded them that he chose politics as a career — not ministry, commerce, commentary, or journalism — and urged them to let him continue in his chosen field.