Solely Tinubu can sack me, not critics, Wike declares

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has insisted that political energy is earned via energy and strategic motion, warning that Obio/Akpor Native Authorities Space stays a decisive power in Rivers State politics.

Wike additionally dismissed requires his removing, stressing that the facility to sack him lies solely with the President.

Wike spoke on Sunday throughout a thank-you go to to Obio/Akpor, the place he addressed celebration leaders, conventional rulers, ladies, and youths.

PidomNigeria On-line experiences that the minister has been touring the state’s 23 native authorities areas to understand residents for his or her help within the 2023 elections and to canvass continued backing for President Bola Tinubu forward of the 2027 polls.

Addressing the gathering, Wike confused that politics ought to be guided by curiosity, not sentiment.

“There is no such thing as a sentiment, there is no such thing as a emotion. Politics is an curiosity; the curiosity of your folks. Energy just isn’t given; we battle for it. In any case, if Donald Trump didn’t have energy, would he go to Venezuela to select a president? He wouldn’t. As a result of he has energy, that’s why he can act,” Wike stated.

“So for the folks of Obio/Akpor, we’ve the facility to dictate who turns into governor. All these folks commenting from the sidelines, ask them if their native authorities, which produced solely 5,000 votes, can problem one which produced 40 per cent of the votes? Allow us to see the way it will work.

“We’ll use our energy to punish them. No one has turn out to be governor on this state with out Obio/Akpor making the pronouncement. No one has turn out to be the senator of Rivers East with out Obio/Akpor deciding. So, should you like abusing us, after abusing us, come and search for the votes—and we are going to punish you with the votes.”

The previous Rivers State governor additionally dismissed requires his removing from workplace, stressing that such selections relaxation solely with the President.

“Don’t hassle about individuals who say ‘sack him.’ If my appointor believes I can’t provide something once more, he has the suitable, not that you need to inform him. I’m proud that the folks of Obio/Akpor, the folks of Rivers State, and Nigerians know we’ve not disillusioned them within the FCT,” he stated.

Earlier, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Native Authorities Council, Present Worlu, praised Wike’s political affect, describing him as a significant asset to the council, the state, and the nation. He recommended Wike’s efficiency throughout varied workplaces, together with chairman, chief of workers, governor, and minister, and confused the council’s loyalty to his management.

“Relating to who ought to be President of Nigeria in 2027, we all know the place to go. As for the governorship of Rivers State, we all know the place to not go. We won’t go the best way of ingratitude, disappointment, or disloyalty,” Worlu stated.

Additionally talking, the Speaker of the Rivers State Home of Meeting, Martins Amaewhule, reaffirmed the legislature’s help for Wike and President Tinubu.

“On behalf of the RSHA, we guarantee you of our prayers and help as you proceed to help Mr President. Don’t hassle about detractors. The true folks of Nigeria know your price. They know you might be serving to the President ship on the Renewed Hope Agenda,” Amaewhule stated.

The go to comes in opposition to the backdrop of renewed political rigidity in Rivers State. On Thursday, the Rivers Meeting, led by Amaewhule, formally commenced impeachment proceedings in opposition to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, over alleged gross misconduct.

The Majority Chief, Main Jack, offered a discover signed by 26 lawmakers citing alleged expenses, together with extra-budgetary spending of over N800 billion with out legislative approval, withholding funds allotted to the Meeting Service Fee, demolition of the Meeting complicated, and defiance of Supreme Courtroom rulings on legislative autonomy. A separate discover was additionally learn in opposition to the deputy governor for allegedly conniving in unconstitutional expenditures.

Amaewhule introduced that the notices can be served inside seven days, in step with the Structure.

The event marks a renewed escalation within the protracted political disaster in Rivers State, stemming from the fallout between Governor Fubara and his predecessor, Wike. Earlier impeachment makes an attempt in 2023 and 2025 had been halted by presidential interventions, and a state of emergency was declared by President Bola Tinubu.