The fiery, honorable minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barrister) Nyesom Wike, was recently in the storm after a clash with military personnel over a disputed property in Abuja, drawing reactions from the public.
Story by our reporters
Where do we begin to write about a man whose activities appear to bring down the roof whenever they occur? On the one hand, some see his fight as one against perceived injustice, while the large majority see his struggles as lopsided and opportunistic. However, let’s explain a bit. For those who see his actions as perceived injustice, their grouse is simple: that Wike ought to differentiate between “democracy” and “military state”. They know that, Abuja, being a democratic environment, ought to “enjoy” some of the privileges that go with it. Of the “privileges” that come with “democracy,” none includes “demolition,, But ironically, “Demolition” has become a metaphor to define “Abuja” and Wike’s style of governance! Demolition elicits “fear” and “terror” and anyone associated with that brand is automatically hated! Nigeria is not a military state, but government officials most especially those in the dreaded “development Control” Unit see it as one!
Then, for those who claim that Wike is opportunistic, they may be right. There are strong cases of forceful “land encroachment” reported to Development Control, which have not been addressed; some of them have been lingering for years! So, when some are “attended” with speed and a full complement of policemen and soldiers, something is wrong! Wike ought not to have left his office on that very day unless there was a personal attachment to that disputed property! He did so because he saw himself as the “law”, not the federal High Courts nor the instruments of Democracy, such as “negotiation”, “decorum”, or “persuasion”. He has been used to enforcing his wishes and never expected such a confrontation. Nevertheless, the man, Chief Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike (CON), has really made good for himself in this land called Nigeria. You would think that a man who has been a time LGA Chair, Two Time governor, and now on his second binge as a minister would be less combative; he appears to be driven by a force unknown, always angry, with ice-cold eyes and a heavy voice that sounds like the fall of gravel.
At first sight, you think he is visibly angry and walks with such swagger that you imagine he is in a rush to get something. You need to know this because, from available records, he has achieved what people of his generation may never achieve in their entire lifetime! Very active since 1999 when he was elected as the Executive Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government Council, you’d better give it to him for his foresight and consciousness of his environment. Unlike those who will relax once they bounce into limelight, not this Ikwerre born Rivers state indigene; a masters of Arts degree holder in Political and Administrative studies, he did not stop there; perhaps, knowing what the future holds, he proceeded to arm himself with a degree in Law and in 2011, was appointed as Minister of State for Education; riding on the crest of his foresight, he got elevated as substantive minister in 2014, but then, he resigned to contest the governorship elections; by this time, his relationship with then governor Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi was cordial; they would later become arch enemies in the near future.
Born in 1967, Wike went on to win the elections and was governor for another two terms, as he did in LGA, during which he famously earned the title “Mr. Projects.” His eight years in office as “sitting governor”, from 2015 to 2023, witnessed spectacular performance with project after project being commissioned. It was as if Rotimi Amaechi, who himself is combative, did nothing at all. He met his match in Wike when both got embroiled in a bitter fight for reasons no one seems to know. They hurled insults publicly at each other, leaving observers petrified and dazed. But then, by 2022, while still a governor, Wike declared his intention to contest the PDP Presidential ticket. This was where he ran into another blistering fight with Abubakar Atiku, a potential veteran, and the animosity blossomed into an all-out war! By 371 to 237 votes, Atiku defeated him in the PDP primaries that followed; Wike never took that kindly. As a wounded lion, he withdrew into his trench and fired artillery at both Atiku and the PDP using abusive language, until the PDP train crashed at the presidential elections!
By this time, Wike had perfected plans to install a successor after him, and that person was Similaye Fubara, who eventually stepped in. After the 2023 presidential elections, he was appointed as Minister of the Federal Capital, an appointment that equaled that of a governor! You would think somebody as lucky would utilize his good fortune to promote an orphanage or some charity works in praise of God; he might even launch a foundation like Bill Gates or Warren Buffett. Tony Elumelu, for example, has been busy giving back to the poor what God gave to him in the banking towers! But Wike would have none of that and fought until Atiku ran away from PFDP, just the same way Obasanjo chased him from Aso Rock in their days! Atiku is now reportedly hibernating in ADC! Then came the matter of Similaye Fubara, his supposed protégé. A quarrel that was simmering quietly was to burst into the open with Wike and Fubara trading harsh words.
They fought until it got to a point where Fubara saw defeat staring him in the face, and some say he stylishly went underground to beg for mercy; he understood that Wike does not take in “prisoners of war”, you are either crushed or you throw in the towel! This is where many liken him to an “emperor,” which he is not. A democratic Nigeria is not the place where you try such. But the one thing going strong for him is his stickler for projects. As FCT Minister, he has done what his predecessors found difficult to do for all eight years they occupied the office. Today, the hundreds of abandoned road networks have been forcibly completed. Should he not be applauded for this? But now, strangely, his Billboards dot the capital city, leaving many to wonder: Is he planning to contest? The billboards are too exciting to go unnoticed! May God not let Asiwaju wonder if he is contemplating contesting against him. Well, a man like Wike should know where his bread is buttered and draw a line! For now, it is safe to assume that praise mongers are those behind the billboards! However, for the high-flying Federal Capital Minister, controversy never seems to be too far.
Sowore, another fiery activist, recently accused him of granting millions of dollars’ worth of landed properties to his children, including purchasing some abroad! And you want to ask how damaging that could be for a man of his pedigree! These are controversies he could do without, not to mention plunging headlong to confront military personnel! The military personnel case has now snowballed into a conflict with his alleged “suspension” from the party! Suspension ke? By who? This is part of the problem in our country; a Federal High Court ruled that no Convention should take place; yet, because they are bigger than the State, they went ahead and breached the law! Nigeria is not yet Animal Farm; pray, senseless individuals should not edge it towards a banana Republic! There is a video of kidnappers hitting human beings with the butt of their guns until they died….in this same country where we grew up, and traveling unmolested! Are there no “special units” in the army to trace and tackle these vermin? Why should human beings be subjected to horrific treatments, videoed and circulated, without the security establishment reacting?
This shouldn’t go on! Back to Wike, because of the tense situation surrounding his encounter with the military officer, the argument has been one-sided, with him taking the brunt of the blame. But go and do research, it is only in Nigeria where the “law” is abused. That military officer should be in the barracks, not where he was found! The “owner” of that property should explain on whose authority he acquired the land. The military has a sacrosanct duty, and that is to protect the State…not to guard a retired military officer’s property. But Wike was too aggressive, which wasn’t necessary. He should not spoil the good works he is doing with these disapproved tactics. Many ministers had served before him, and soon he will leave. He should be modest and discreet about such things. There are cases of helpless civilians whose properties have been destroyed even while wailing, shouting, with preventive court orders ignored in this democracy! There are also cases of people who applied for land since 2020, and no one has bothered to reply to them! Now, a good number of them dread the city of Abuja because of the offshoot of the lawlessness. Demolition! Fear! Terror!
These are the lexicons commonly found in a Police State for which Abuja has been turned! A certain spouse of a retired colonel cried out lately when bulldozers surrounded her late husband’s property, acquired while Wike was still in secondary school! Was the University of Abuja not told that their property was too big and should be reduced? Suddenly, property owners are told to pay tenement rates for properties they acquired long ago! Those in authority just wake up and slam “penalties” on civilians! It’s crazy, but of course, civilians have no voice! Lere Olayinka’s explanation that the disputed property is not validly allocated is pure hubris! That the fellow resold the lands to people, including the naval chief, is another crap story. No one buys property in Abuja without the customary “checking” at AGIS-or the “know” of the authorities. If the Naval chief comes out to say his own side of the story, don’t be surprised to hear he was given by the serving minister!
In any case, there are softer approaches to resolving burning issues of this magnitude. Olayinka shouldn’t exacerbate matters by trying to hide under administrative jargon we all know. Next time, Wike should reach out directly to the affected persons rather than indulge in public altercations. We refuse to believe that authoritarian style is his DNA. He has tried for this country, and who wouldn’t after 25 years and not be? You could see the years of service are taking a toll on his natural physique. He may have been fighting for justice against Atiku, Amaechi, or Fubara, but this time, his actions may be construed as opportunistic—something he should distance himself from!
