Nyesom Wike And The Allegation Of Corruption -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

The minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike is always in the news and most times for the wrong reasons. When it is not about his case with the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) which he wants to control at all costs, it will be about his meddlesomeness in the affairs of River State which he wants to govern by proxy or the destruction and seizure of lands in the FCT. But this is not the case this time. The tough-talking minister is mired in serious corruption scandal as exposed by Mr. Omoyele Sowore, the owner of Sahara Reporters and others. The fiery social critic has laid many grave corrupt allegation charges against the erstwhile Rivers State governor.

In one incident Sowore reveals that Wike had about four properties in Florida United States acquired in the name of his wife that was donated to his children. It was also revealed that one of the biggest hotels in Port-Harcourt known as the J-Suites is owned by Wike in addition to estates and other choice properties in the Garden City. And in the FCT, it was reported that Wike bought a chunk of land in the River Park Estate, Lugbe and paid N8billion (eight billion Naira) cash. It was also in the news recently that Wike allocated FCT lands to members of his family including his 90-year old father. Earlier in the year, the University of Abuja community cried about Wike’s encroachment on the university land, carving out 7 hectares out of the 11 hectares university land, leaving out mostly the mounting areas for the university. Again, it was reported that most of the so-called contracts executed by Wike in the FCT were highly inflated. For instance, the International Conference Centre (ICC) that he allegedly renovated and renamed Bola Ahmed international Conference Center, was done at humongous cost of N39billion Naira. Building experts explained that that cost is more than enough to build two new structures of the size of the alleged renovated conference center.

As the revelations about Wike’s primitive acquisitions and corrupt allegations come pouring, Nigerians are watching to see what the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu would do. Will he ask Wike to resign or would he refer the cases to the anti-graft agencies to investigate? Nigerians want to know. In civilized environment where things are done properly, Wike would have long resigned. But that is not the case in Nigeria. Nigeria public office holders have no integrity. They abuse their office and get away with it. Many of them cannot differentiate between personal interest and public interest. To them, public office is an avenue to appropriate wealth. Service to the nation is secondary. The Nigerian anti-graft agencies waste tax-payers chasing petty criminals while the big thief that embezzle public funds and their accomplices that help them launder their illicit funds are accorded VIP treatment.

Nigerians are calling for probe into the allegation of fraud against the FCT minister. Under the PDP regime, the Nigerian anti-corruption agencies especially the Economic and Financial Crime Commission was seen to be working. Some land mark cases like the Tafa Balogun, the former IGP’s case were treated. Unfortunately, since the coming of the All Progressives Congress (APC) regime, the regime that used the fight against corruption as its swan song, corruption seems to be institutionalized in the country. Under the APC government, contracts are inflated, monies borrowed and embezzled, funds appropriated for phantom projects and funds meant for government projects diverted. Under this regime, we hear of conditional cash transfer to thousands of unidentified citizens and the feeding of school children in their parents’ homes.

Indeed, Nigerians are obviously tired of the profligacy and the systemic corruption prevalent in the country under the current government. Nigerians are bearing the burden of the recklessness of this administration without any respite in sight. And while the people groan, the government is threatening more taxes instead of social security safety net. The leadership of the country has no willingness to try corrupt public officers. The government is more interested in maintaining its hold to power. The government is more interested in destroying opposition than tackling national problems. The ruling party made it clear that you can be as corrupt as a pig but once you defect to them your sins are forgiven. It was Adams Oshiomole, the former chairman of the party and now a senator that said this on a live television program.

Clearly, I will not be surprised if Tinubu ignores the calls to probe and try the FCT minister for corruption for obvious reasons. They are in it together.  And he still needs Wike for the upcoming election in 2027. Tinubu can only try Wike if he thinks that he don’t need him anymore; then he may dispense with him to score some political points.  Be that as it may, I will advise Nigerians to continue to expose corrupt cases to draw the attention of the world and the citizens to the plight of the nation. One day, God will remember Nigeria and help will come from above.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com

An actress, social activist, politician

London, UK