FCT minister Nyesom Wike defends his role in Rivers State political dispute, rejects calls to resign and says power must be earned, not given
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Sunday defended his political role amid escalating impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, insisting that power cannot be “dashed” to anyone and rejecting public calls for his removal.
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Wike spoke at the conclusion of his statewide thank-you tour in the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday, where he was addressing concerns about his influence in the ongoing political crisis in the oil-rich South-South region.
“People who say, ‘sack me,’ it doesn’t lie in their mouth. If my appointor believes that I cannot offer anything again, he has the right; it is not that you should tell him,” Wike said, in remarks that emphasised the constitutional authority of the President over ministerial appointments.
Wike added that political power is something “you struggle for,” drawing an analogy to international power politics when referring to former United States President Donald Trump’s influence abroad.
He emphasised that the people of Obio/Akpor wield decisive political influence in the state.
“For the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who will rule,” Wike said, underscoring his belief in grassroots mobilisation as central to the state’s political direction.
The comments come as political tensions persist in Rivers State, where the Rivers State House of Assembly has initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, on multiple counts of alleged gross misconduct.
Lawmakers have dismissed claims that the impeachment process is driven by Wike, insisting it is a constitutional action that must be pursued within legal frameworks.
Assembly spokesperson Enemi George said the impeachment is grounded in constitutional provisions, and that allegations of undue influence by the FCT minister are unfounded and risk conflating politics with constitutional oversight.
Political disagreement in Rivers traces back to a fallout between Wike and Governor Fubara over control of political structures in the state.
Both men have strong support bases within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but their relationship fractured months after President Bola Tinubu ended an earlier state of emergency in the state that had been declared amid similar tensions in 2025.
The crisis has drawn attention to the broader implications for governance in Rivers State, with stakeholders warning that ongoing disagreements could affect development and stability.
Rival factions have accused each other of undermining democratic processes, and calls for dialogue continue alongside the impeachment proceedings.
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Despite the political pressure, Wike reiterated his commitment to his role, emphasising that any decision on his tenure rests with his appointor rather than with members of the public.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
