The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to calls for his removal from office, stating that only President Bola Tinubu has the constitutional authority to sack him if he so desires.
Wike made the remarks on Sunday during a thank-you visit to his Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor, in Rivers State, where he dismissed the agitation against him as inconsequential.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several politicians and interest groups have urged President Tinubu to remove Wike over the lingering political crisis in Rivers State.
Addressing supporters, the former Rivers State governor said politics is driven by interests rather than emotions, stressing that the people remain the ultimate source of power.
“There is no sentiment or emotion in politics; what matters is interest, the interest of the people,” Wike said.
He added that political authority is earned through influence and grassroots strength.
“Power is not given but taken. For the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes a governor in Rivers.
“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.”
Reacting directly to calls for his sack, Wike said the decision lies solely with President Tinubu.
“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 stated.
According to the minister, President Tinubu understands his value and does not require external pressure to make decisions.
He further said the President has done much for Rivers State, adding that the people would reciprocate the gesture in the 2027 general elections.
On criticism from political opponents, Wike said he deliberately chose politics as a career and would not apologise for it.
“I chose to be a politician and not a pastor, a trader, a public commentator or journalist. Allow me to play my politics,” he said.
Earlier, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Kingsley Chinda, noted that Obio/Akpor Local Government Area accounts for over 684,000 votes out of the 3.5 million registered voters in Rivers State.
Chinda, who represents the area in the Green Chamber, said such numerical strength places the LGA at the centre of political power in the state.
“With such voting strength, nobody would challenge the political power of Obio/Akpor in the state.
“Just go home. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will do it,” he told the minister.
Also speaking, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Gift Worlu, described Wike as a “gift” to the LGA, Rivers State and Nigeria, citing his performance at the local, state and national levels.
Worlu thanked the minister for his contributions to the area, saying the decision to support Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election had yielded significant benefits for the people.
He assured that the LGA would align appropriately in the 2027 presidential election, though he remained cautious on the governorship race.
“We do not know where to go yet, but we know where not to go,” Worlu said.
Similarly, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, pledged the continued support of the people of Obio/Akpor for the FCT minister.
Amaewhule added that members of the Assembly would continue to pray for Wike and back his call for Tinubu’s re-election.
“Tell Mr President that what we did for him in 2023, we will do even better in 2027,” he said.
