Edith CHUKU
There are rising speculations of an imminent fallout between the FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Ezenwo Wike and the president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, driven by the escalating political crisis in Rivers State.
Wike’s pledged loyalty and support for Tinubu’s second term bid in 2027, is conditional as aligning with the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, would make Tinubu the 43rd person Wike would quarrel with in Nigeria politics.
Some of Tinubu’s close allies and members of the Governance Advisory Council of the All Progressives Congress APC, have persisted in their call for the president to distance himself from Wike and realign the governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
Political analysts have predicted future conflict as Wike’s political journey shows a consistent pattern of forging alliances closely and breaking from them when interests diverge.
Nearly every phase of Wike’s ascent has been marked by intense disagreements with former benefactors, allies, or party leaders, often ending in open confrontation. The former governor has a history of broken alliances, public fallouts, and bitter power struggles with those who once helped shape his political rise.
The FCT minister has had a fallout with former vice president Atiku Abubakar who is commonly referred to as his archenemy, former governor of Sokoto State-Aminu Tambuwal, his predecessor-Rotimi Amaechi, Peter Obi of Anambra State, former Senate President-Bukola Saraki, his former political godfather Peter Odili and Wife, Senate President-David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola, Oluwaseyi Abiodun Makinde, Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri.
Others on the list are Bala Mohammed, Dr. Ajibola Basiru, Dr. Patience Jonathan, Senator John Azuta Mbata, Prince Uche Secondus, Prof Iyorchia Ayu, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo.
Still on the list are Senator David Umahi, Major General Jamil Sarham, Adams Oshiomole, Godwin Obaseki, El Rufai, Commodore Bode George (rtd), Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, Celestine Omehia, Abiye Sekibo, the late president Muhammadu Buhari, Senator Seriake Dickson, Prince Tonye Princewill, George Turnah, Magnus Abe, Senator Adolphus Wabara, Dr. Reuben AbatiAbati.
Most recent is Wike’s bitter struggle with his handpicked successor, Fubara.
In his analysis, Mr John Tamuno revealed that Wike’s entry into the political arena was marked by a period of apprenticeship under Senator John Azuta-Mbata.
Tamuno explained that in the late 1990s, Wike was known for his absolute dedication to the Senator’s cause, a loyalty so deep that local lore frequently cites his hands-on service, including personally maintaining the Senator’s vehicles, as the ultimate symbol of his “loyalty-first” philosophy.
According to him, this dedication bore fruit in 1999 when, with the Senator’s backing, Wike was elected Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area in the state.
He said “the most significant chapter of Nyesom Wike’s rise was his relationship with former governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. As Chief of Staff to then-governor Amaechi, Wike was the tactical engine of the administration.
“He played a central role in stabilizing the state’s political structure and was eventually rewarded with a nomination to the federal executive council as minister of state for education.
“However, the bridge to Amaechi was famously burned in 2013. In a strategic pivot that redefined Rivers politics, Wike aligned with President Goodluck Jonathan and First Lady Patience Jonathan, effectively dismantling Amaechi’s structure from within the PDP to secure the governorship in 2015.
“Wike’s career is increasingly defined by the “burning of bridges” once they have served their purpose in his ascent.
In Nigerian politics, the FCT minister remains both a political powerhouse and a lightning rod for controversy, with his quarrels often illustrating the broader struggles over loyalty, power, and leadership in the country.
