Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has responded to calls for his removal from office, stating that only the President, Bola Tinubu, has the authority to sack him if he so desires.
Wike made this known on Sunday during a “thank you” visit to his Local Government Area, Obio-Akpor, in Rivers State, where he emphasised that the people had consistently stood by him since 1999.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that several politicians and interest groups have been urging President Tinubu to remove Wike from office over the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
According to the minister, politics is not driven by sentiment or emotion but by interest, particularly the interest of the people.
He stated that “power is not given but taken,” adding that the people of Obio/Akpor possess decisive political influence in Rivers State.
“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,” he said.
Wike added, “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 stressed that President Tinubu understands his value and does not need anyone to dictate how he should act.
The minister further said that Tinubu had done a lot for the people of Rivers State, assuring that the support would be reciprocated in the 2027 elections.
Addressing his critics, Wike explained that he deliberately chose to be a politician and not a pastor, trader, public commentator or journalist, urging them to allow him practise politics in his own way.
Earlier, Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Kingsley Chinda, pointed out that Obio/Akpor has over 684,000 votes out of the 3.5 million registered voters in Rivers State.
Chinda, who represents the local government area in the House, said with such voting strength, no one could challenge Obio/Akpor’s political power in the state.
“Just go home. Tell us what you want us to do, and we will do it,” he told the minister.
Chairman of the council, Dr Gift Worlu, described Wike as a “gift” to the local government area, Rivers State and the country, citing his performance in public service at the local, state and national levels.
Worlu thanked the minister for his numerous contributions to the area, adding that supporting Tinubu’s election in 2023 had yielded significant benefits for the people.
He assured Wike that the people already know where to stand in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on the governorship election, Worlu said, “We do not know where to go yet, but we know where not to go.”
Also speaking, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Martin Amaewhule, reaffirmed the full support of the people of Obio/Akpor for the minister.
Amaewhule added that members of the House would continue to pray for Wike and support his call for President Tinubu’s re-election for a second term.
“Tell Mr President that what we did for him in 2023, we will do even better in 2027,” he assured.
