Wike Nyesom: Tinubu administration’s jewel of inestimable values!, by Kola Amzat

In the last 10 years, an indomitable figure has emerged in the Nigerian political horizon. He is no other than Barrister Wike Nyesom, a former two term governor of Rivers state, former Minister of (State) Education, and indeed, incumbent Minister, Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

One may detest his ways, style and gut, but, it’s absolutely difficult to ignore and deny his emergence as a political force to be reckoned with  in the unfolding political development in the country particularly, as the nation eagerly prepares for 2027 general elections.

Wike has cut a niche for himself, dismantling the fortress of the hitherto untouchables and political juggernauts, with seamless ease, as well as frustrating the plots of political adversaries.

Even though, he’s been an imperial political figure way back in 2007 while holding sway as Chief of Staff (CoS) to Rotimi Amaechi, Rivers state governor between 2007 and 2015, and even as Minister of (State) Education during ex-president, Goodluck Jonathan administration, wielding so much power and influence at the national level, he indeed got launched into national consciousness in the twilight of his second term in office as Rivers state governor when he contested for PDP presidential ticket at the PDP presidential primary in 2023.

Despite the fact that Atiku Abubakar narrowly triumphed during the primary, Wike absolutely got convinced that he was mischievously muscled out, by the aristocrats in PDP who were bent on ensuring that the northern candidate emerged as presidential candidate.

Thereafter, Wike threw all his resources on the line to frustrate the Atiku Abubakar spirited efforts at winning the 2023 presidential election.

Wike joined forces with PDP five governors notably from the South –east and South-south, who incidentally shared his sentiments and aspirations that his denial of the presidential ticket in the primary was a calculated attempt by the northern aristocrats in the PDP, with the intention of lording over the Southern zone and denying her the opportunity to take her place in the presidency after 8 years tenure of late president, Muhammud Buhari.

Consequent upon this, the five aggrieved governors’ code named G5 teamed up with Asiwaju Bola Tinubu who incidentally convinced them of a better deal.

There was no doubt that they assiduously and religiously worked, by laying their rich political careers on the line to ensure that Asiwaju Tinubu emerged as the president of the country.

Since then, the ex-governor of Rivers state has never looked back, more so with his emergence as FCT minister in the Federal Executive Cabinet.

Like a man with defining purpose and mission, Wike has taken absolute control of administration and management of FCT.

He has practically re-define governance in the Nigerian administrative capital.

He’s been generally acknowledged for his assertiveness and decisiveness in governance, posting incredible achievements within such a short time in office, so much that the residents of FCT are left wondering what previous administrations actually did for decades that they held sway.

Some of Wike milestone achievements today includes, but not limited to the followings:  

·       Commissioning of Federal Secretariat (First Phase)

·       Construction and commissioning of Abuja Metroline project leading to all strategic locations within the Federal Capital Territory and suburbs

·       Construction and commissioning of Southern Parkway, as well as Roads B6 and B12

·       Completion and commissioning the Vice President’s official residence

·       Completion and commissioning of Wuse Interchange, as well as Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX).

·       The minister has also taken decisive and bold steps to combat corruption and infractions within the FCT administration, leading to sending packing some corrupt government officials.

Generality of FCT residents have also confirmed that in the annals of civilization, few instances have indeed matched the tremendous pace of road infrastructures developments witnessed in Abuja, in contemporary time.

Residents have acknowledged that the highly resourceful and focus Minister is not just focusing and concentrating on Abuja metropolis alone, his significant impact is being felt at the outskirts and suburbs, particularly, with his developmental forays in terms of huge and modern road networks, medical infrastructures, and more, importantly, fortifying security apparatus in Kuje, Mararaba, Gwagwalada, Kubwa, Jabi, Yanyan etc.

Wike has equally taken bold steps in restoring due processes and procedures in the FCT especially with respect to land administration.

He’s spiritedly restoring orderliness to a lot of rot and injustice that had been perpetrated in land matters in FCT and its environs over years. 

But, the crux of this Write-up remains: the ex-Minister of (State), Education, has been the one taken it upon himself to always counter and contend with all the political adversaries and foes of Tinubu administration who have resolved to continually spread falsehoods, fabricating lies and propaganda against the government.

This, he does with tremendous aplomb, as well as putting his rich political career on the line.

For the records, he’s the only cabinet member that has continually lambasted and ridiculed ADC chieftains, always labelling them expired and rejected politicians, and have also affirmed the party is no threat at all, to APC victory at polls in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Without a shade of doubt, the fear of Wike is what has necessitated deafening silence in the camps of the likes of Atiku Abubakar, Rotimi Amaechi, Nasir El-Rufai, Bala Mohammud, even, Seyi Makinde, and their ilk, all who used to run their mouths like tap water, attacking at will, all good intentions and policies/programs of the government.

Nigerians would vividly recollect the patriotic role displayed by Wike inn the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state for six months, as well as yeoman job he played in the restoration of democratic rule in the state, assuming the role of central figure to broker peace and understanding/agreements between the warring factions.

Instructively, it’s Wike Nyesom who has defied all odds, amongst APC leadership hierarchy and chieftains, as well as cabinet members to react to President Donald Trump’s designating of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”

He has angrily reacted to the American president that he’s only pandering to Nigerian opposition groups who are “Taken politics too far”, declaring to the American president that the voices he’s listening to reek of misconception, misrepresentation, falsehoods, blatant lies and propaganda.   

Wike provided many justifications why the American president should discountenance the Nigerian opposition groups, as well as agents of darkness who are hell bent on destabilizing the country ahead of 2027 general elections, which they are aware they don’t have any chance at all, to win.

Nigerians of goodwill should therefore arise to applaud Wike for his relentlessness, and unwavering commitments in continually working for president to ensure that the 7 Points Agenda is not only accomplished, but also that the country turns the tide in a short while.  

In several instances, he’s proven to be a patriot, as well as a statesman who could be trusted.                                      

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.