The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed calls for his removal from office, insisting that only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has the constitutional authority to sack him if he is found wanting.
Wike made the statement amid growing pressure from political groups, civil society organisations and critics who accuse him of overstepping his role as FCT minister, particularly in relation to the lingering political crisis in Rivers State. According to him, no individual or group can compel the president to remove a minister, stressing that his appointment and continued stay in office rest solely on the confidence of the president.
“If the president feels I am no longer adding value, he has the right to sack me. That power belongs to him alone,” Wike was quoted as saying, brushing aside demands for his resignation.
The former Rivers State governor maintained that he remains focused on delivering results in Abuja, pointing to ongoing infrastructural renewal, reforms in land administration and efforts to restore order in the nation’s capital. He argued that performance, not political noise, should be the basis for judging his stewardship.
Calls for Wike’s sack have intensified in recent weeks, largely driven by tensions in Rivers State, where his rift with Governor Siminalayi Fubara has polarised political actors and sparked protests and counter-protests. Some groups claim Wike’s continued involvement in Rivers politics undermines stability and distracts from his federal responsibilities.
However, Wike’s allies insist the minister is being unfairly targeted for his outspokenness and political influence, describing the calls for his removal as politically motivated.
So far, the presidency has remained silent on the matter, with no indication that President Tinubu is considering any change in the composition of his cabinet.
Abuja Network News
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