Nyesom Wike’s Declaration And The Fear Of The Unknown -By Hajia Hadiza Mohammed

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Nyesom Wike is in the news again as always. The controversial Rivers State born politician has declared publicly that if Tinubu loses the 2027 presidential election that Atiku or Obi, whoever that wins the election will come after him. Speaking during a media chat recently, Wike said the intensity of his support for Tinubu had already made him a prime target of his political opponents. Many concerned Nigerians believe and rightly too that Wike’s declaration has nothing to do with sincerity or loyalty to what he believes in, as some others may interpret it, but about fear and guilt feeling.

Hear him: “if anything happens and Mr. President failed today, I will be the first politician to be hurt by Atiku and Peter Obi…I won’t make that mistake of sleeping while the President loses the election. No, because I know they will come for my head…”

To me that was a true confession and it tells a lot about Wike, the APC plot and what to expect in the coming weeks before the forthcoming presidential election. It reveals the win-at-all-costs determination of the ruling All Progressives Congress regime. It tells the story of a man in power but sinking and whose help and survival seems irretrievably tied to fate of another sinking man.

First, why does the former Rivers State governor think that if Tinubu loses, as he is doomed to, that any one that emerges president will come after him if he has not committed any offence? Does he think that governance is about using state power for recrimination and personal vendetta? And working for Tinubu does not make him anybody’s target? Is he the only turn-coat politician working for Tinubu?

There is a wise saying that the wicked runs away when no one is pursuing him. That is the case here. Wike is obviously afraid of his own shadow. Wike is afraid of the numerous atrocities that he allegedly committed while he was the governor of Rivers State. “Mr. Project” does not want anyone to probe into his phantom projects and inflated contracts. He does not want to be queried by the anti-graft agencies for abuse of office and misappropriation of public funds neither does he want to answer to charges of electoral malfeasance. And most importantly, he does not want lose relevance politically knowing that he has no job other than politics.

Clearly, by the statement made by Wike, he has publicly declared that only Tinubu can shield him from all the numerous atrocities that he has committed against the people. And by extension, he has indirectly made it known that Tinubu is harboring, shielding and accommodating criminals and corrupt politician in his camp. Does it surprise anyone that all the politicians that have EFCC cases, have their charges dropped once they cross over to Tinubu’s camp. Tinubu hobnob, dine and wine with corrupt politicians; Wike has inadvertently confirmed it.

Again, Wike’s statement shows that he is hypocritical. Wike who sits astride the PDP and the APC has established himself as a selfish politician without principles. He knew Tinubu is not qualified to contest and yet he wants his continued hold on to power. He knew he has no tangible achievement to campaign with and yet he is willing to stick out his neck for him. Tinubu has jet out of the country on a three-week vacation to lobby for the American FBI not to make open his criminal files but Wike want to work to ensure his perpetual stay in office. He wants to use official hours and resources at his disposal to pursue personal ambition.

In addition, Wike’s statement directly acknowledges the fact that Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi are better candidates than the man of scandal, Tinubu, who has failed the nation but he still wants Tinubu to stay in power beyond 2027. Merit, performance and national interests mean nothing to the Obiakpor man. What matters to him is to be at corridors of power at all costs.

Furthermore, Wike’s statement indicates another level of sycophancy. Hear him: Each day I sleep, I am thinking about the president’s reelection. When I am eating, I think about the president’s reelection. Everything I am doing now is about the president’s reelection”. He is desperately trying to convince Tinubu that he is working to ensure his continued stay in office despite his failures and inadequacies. To Wike, Tinubu’s ambition to remain in power is more important than the interest of the generality of the people.

Finally, we can deduce from the Wike’s declaration the affirmation of failure of governance by the Tinubu regime. Wike has directly and publicly asserted that Tinubu has failed the nation. So, he was apprehensive of the emergence of either Atiku or Obi as president because he knows that nobody is willing to vote the scandalous Tinubu in a free and fair election. He knows all that but he is still sticking out his neck for Tinubu because of the grand plot by the APC regime to rig the election. Yes, win-at-all-costs plot is another thing revealed in the Wike’s declaration. Nigeria, this calls for vigilance. We have an obligation to register, vote and defend our votes. We must not give room for rigging and together we can reclaim our country from those riding rough shod on us and rebuild our nation.

Hajia Hadiza Mohammed
hajiahadizamohammed@gmail.com
An actress, social activist, politician
London, UK