Nyesom Ezenwo Wike. The name itself seems to carry a certain weight, a promise of both flamboyant action and inevitable controversy. From his days as a local government chairman to his current role as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike has been a political force to be reckoned with, a figure who leaves no room for neutrality. He is the kind of politician who generates headlines as easily as he commissions flyovers, and in Nigeria’s political theater, he is undoubtedly a leading man, albeit one who often seems to relish playing the antagonist.
Born December 13, 1967 in Rivers State, Wike’s early life provided little indication of the political storm he would later become. He attended Government Secondary School Eneka in Obiakpor, Educated in law at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUT), he cut his teeth in the rough and tumble of local politics, serving two terms as the Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area from 1999 to 2007. Even then, whispers of his effectiveness – and perhaps a touch of ruthlessness – began to circulate. He was, by many accounts, a high-performing chairman, a sign of the ambition that would soon propel him to higher offices. His stint as President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) further broadened his influence, showcasing a knack for leadership that extended beyond his local turf.
The next act in the Wike drama saw him as Chief of Staff to then, Governor Rotimi Amaechi from 2007 to 2011. Insiders whispered that Wike was the real power behind the throne, a claim that speaks volumes about his influence. It was rumoured that he even bankrolled Amaechi’s legal battles, a testament to their then-solid alliance. Ah, the sweet irony of past camaraderie!
His move to the federal stage as Minister of State for Education in 2011 under President Goodluck Jonathan was marked by significant reforms, including initiatives for Almajiri children and free textbooks. Yet, even in this role, the ever-present shadow of controversy loomed, with allegations of coercing principals and questionable contract allocations. The EFCC was petitioned, though no arrests or prosecutions ever materialized from these specific claims.
In 2015, Wike’s was elected Governor of Rivers State. His victory, however, was immediately contested, leading to a tribunal nullification before the Supreme Court ultimately affirmed his win. The election itself was reportedly riddled with irregularities, a less than auspicious start to his eight-year reign. He secured a second term in 2019 and remained in office until 2023.
Wike’s time as governor was characterized by an undeniable focus on infrastructure. He earned the moniker “Mr. Project” for his administration’s extensive construction of roads, flyovers (thirteen, no less!), and other public works. Courts were built, judges were housed, and education received a boost with free primary and secondary schooling. Healthcare and environmental initiatives were also touted. One might almost forget the controversies amidst all the concrete.
Almost.
Barely had he settled into office in 2015 when Wike declared himself a “Local Champion” who had single-handedly installed his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi. Such humility! He then promptly launched a probe into Amaechi’s administration, setting the stage for a long and bitter feud. It’s almost touching to see such dedication to accountability… especially when one considers the pot calling the kettle black in later years.
His tenure was also marked by accusations of abuse of power, including allegations of seizing land for his cronies. His repeated assertion that Rivers State is a “Christian state” in this religiously diverse Nigeria raised eyebrows, particularly following the alleged demolition of a mosque in Port Harcourt, an incident that sparked widespread condemnation.
Wike’s relationship with his own party, the PDP, was-has-been… complicated. He publicly lambasted a party committee as “the most corrupt ever” and wasn’t shy about attacking fellow PDP governors. In a move that defied logic (or perhaps embraced it in a uniquely Wike-ian way), he appointed an astounding 200,000 Special Assistants on Political Affairs towards the end of his term. One can only imagine the sheer volume of political advice, or perhaps just the sheer volume of payroll.
Described by many as an authoritarian leader, Wike maintained a constant media presence, never one to shy away from a sound bite or a headline. In the lead-up to the 2023 presidential election, despite being a PDP stalwart, he famously worked against his party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, a move that showcased his independent streak, or perhaps a calculated gamble for future favors. And indeed, he was rewarded with a ministerial position in the APC-led government.
Despite the initial legal challenges to his governorship, Wike managed to hand over power to his chosen successor, Siminalayi Fubara. A smooth transition, one might think. But alas, the political honeymoon was short-lived, giving way to a messy and very public power struggle. The protégé, it seems, had ideas of his own, much to the chagrin of the Godfather.
Throughout his career, Wike has faced a litany of corruption allegations. Early on, as Chief of Staff, he was reportedly arrested by the EFCC for alleged embezzlement and money laundering. Details of this case, however, remain murky. The CSNAC petition during his time as Education Minister detailed allegations of coercion and contract irregularities, but again, no concrete legal action followed.
Interestingly, Wike himself has been quick to point fingers at others, ordering the trial of his old ally Amaechi and Tonye Cole for alleged illegal asset sales and fund diversion. Seems like a familiar pattern in Nigerian politics: accuse thy neighbor before they accuse thee.
More recently, the tables seem to have turned, with his handpicked successor, Governor Fubara, accusing Wike of leaving behind a “huge debt burden” from unfunded projects. Fubara, who served as the state’s Accountant-General under Wike, has vowed to probe his predecessor’s administration. The irony of a former Accountant-General alleging financial impropriety against his former boss is certainly not lost on observers.
Adding to the scrutiny, Wike, along with all 36 state governors, was named in a SERAP lawsuit for allegedly failing to account for trillions of naira in FAAC allocations since 1999. This lawsuit underscores a broader demand for transparency in the management of public funds.
Despite these numerous allegations, including a widely circulated but debunked claim of a N100 billion fraud, Wike has maintained a stance of innocence, often portraying himself as a victim of political machinations.
The financial management of Rivers State under Wike’s governorship is a contentious issue. While Wike consistently claimed his administration would leave no debts, his successor, Fubara, paints a very different picture, alleging billions of naira in unpaid bills for commissioned projects. This directly contradicts Wike’s pronouncements and has fueled the ongoing political crisis.
Adding fuel to the fire, Amaechi had earlier accused Wike’s government of lacking transparency, citing a stalled $200 million water project. Civil society groups have called for a full inquiry into Wike’s financial stewardship, and Fubara himself ordered an audit of local government accounts, echoing Wike’s own “scandalous” findings from a 2019 audit of local councils.
Auditor-General reports for Rivers State during Wike’s tenure have highlighted concerns about weak internal controls and unretired advances, though they don’t explicitly state findings of widespread corruption. Interestingly, despite these concerns, Rivers State received top fiscal performance rankings from BudgIT in 2020 and 2021, a point that seems at odds with the rising debt burden reported during the same period. It appears the state might have been good at generating revenue, but the question of how that revenue was spent remains a subject of debate.
Wike in Abuja: Sanitizer or Land Grabber?
Now, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Wike has brought his characteristic energy, and controversy to Abuja. He has vowed to “sanitize” the capital, a promise reminiscent of his time in Rivers State. This has led to a series of demolitions of alleged illegal structures, sparking both praise for restoring order and criticism for the impact on displaced residents .
However, a particularly thorny issue has been the allegations of land grabbing. One prominent case involves a property belonging to the family of the late Colonel Paul Osakpamwan Ogbebor, a respected military veteran and the first Nigerian enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy’s Cadet Course 1. The family alleges that Wike revoked the land title, which was originally allocated in 1984, and reallocated it to a company with ties to him.
Chief Rita Lori-Ogbebor, the Colonel’s widow, has publicly and forcefully condemned this action, accusing Wike of using his position to benefit his allies.
Wike’s aide has denied these allegations, claiming the company occupying the land breached its occupancy agreement. Wike himself has stated he is in charge of lands in Abuja and cannot be a land grabber. He has vowed to stop anyone from taking government land without approval.
The Benin Kingdom, to which Colonel Ogbebor belonged, has also voiced its concerns, demanding transparency in the land transaction. The Senate has even intervened, calling for a halt to demolitions. This land dispute has escalated beyond a local issue, drawing in cultural and political forces and becoming a potential national embarrassment for President Tinubu.
In conclusion, Nyesom Wike’s political journey is a complex tapestry woven with threads of undeniable achievement and persistent controversy. His infrastructure projects in Rivers State are a tangible legacy, yet the allegations of corruption and financial mismanagement cast a long shadow. His current role as FCT Minister continues this pattern, with ambitious development plans overshadowed by accusations of high-handedness and land grabbing.
Whether he is a transformative leader unafraid to ruffle feathers or a ruthless operator accumulating power and wealth remains a subject of intense debate. One thing is certain: Nyesom Wike is a force to be reckoned with, and his actions will continue to shape Nigeria’s political landscape for years to come. And as the drama continues to unfold in Rivers State and Abuja, one can only wonder what the next act in the Wike saga will bring. Perhaps another round of accusations? More surprising alliances? Or maybe, just maybe, a moment of quiet accountability. Only time will tell in the ever-turbulent world of Nigerian politics.
