John Nwaigwe
Wike: The Conqueror of Rivers and Abuja Politics
By Safiyanu Danladi Mairiga
Let me begin by saying this: ‘If you are not like WIKE, don’t dare to fight WIKE’. You see, in this life, one thing I’ve come to realize is, when fate wants to humble a man, it assigns him a job he cannot complete. He either starts and runs away from it at halfway, or he starts and crashes along the way. This is the story of those who attempted to fight Wike at various points of his political life.
In the course of his political growth, from his early days as Council Chairman, to his rise to the rank of Chief of Staff, to becoming a Minister of the Federal Republic, and then serving two solid terms as Governor of Rivers State, before his current appointment as FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike has fought several political battles to reach this level in his political journey. In order not to bore you with a long history, I will not take us too far back. Instead, let me just reflect on the events of 2023.
Wike aspired to become the president of Nigeria under the PDP but, unfortunately, he couldn’t secure the party’s ticket. There are many stories surrounding this, and I hope the minister will share them someday in his memoir. After his loss and the failed attempt to make him Atiku’s running mate– due to pressure from those who feared that if Atiku won the election and Wike became Vice President, it could pose a serious threat to their political careers. These individuals (including prominent Northern politicians) pushed Atiku into a needless fight with Wike. To cut the story short, Wike fought back in such a way that, in the end, Atiku and his chorus of supporters found themselves returning to Dubai instead of occupying the Villa.
Based on the 2023 experience, I thought some political players had learned a few lessons about how Wike does his things. Unfortunately, the biggest beneficiary of Wike’s intense battle in Rivers– the incumbent Governor, Sim Fubara– seems to have learned nothing. He should have known better who Wike is and how he fights his battles. Since he is not like WIKE, who even LURED him into FIGHTING Wike? Power intoxication?
Having mastered the intricacies of Nigerian politics, Wike ensured that he conquered Rivers politics even before handing over power to Fubara. He knew he needed to have his bastion in his pocket to remain relevant at the center. He positioned himself as a decisive and ruthless player. His ability to outmaneuver opponents (especially those within), create his own empire, and maintain close contact with the masses allowed him to retain his political dominance two years after leaving the governor’s office. As of today, his political machine in Rivers remains hard to challenge. The case of the House of Assembly is a simple example.
When Fubara opted for a rough ride with Wike, I thought those so-called elders of his party, both within and outside Rivers, would caution him and guide him appropriately on how to govern his state and establish his relevance while maintaining at least a ‘C4’ rating in his relationship with Wike. Unfortunately, these people landed this man that used to be seen as gentle, in trouble. And now those big voices of support can’t help him out. They thought politics was all about going on Seun’s Politics Today to speak grammar by 7pm in exchange for some white notes
As Wike would always say, “At the appropriate time, we will know who is relevant and who is not.” Although this political statement probably referred to the time of elections, time has now proven that Wike cannot be dared in Rivers. This man has ensured that 27 out of the 31 lawmakers in the state have remained in his camp for over a year, despite their entitlements being withheld by Fubara’s government. Now, having won at the Supreme Court, they are back to show Fubara who truly controls Rivers politics. Fubara has started feeling the heat.
If Fubara is lucky enough to survive until the election without being impeached for gross misconduct, he would be left with the options to either return to the fold where the masses belong– the camp led by his political godfather– or choose to remain on his own and sink his political ship into the deep sea in 2027. If he likes, let him not surrender and return to his original camp to receive baptism from Wike. His sins will soon see him out. Wike is like a burning fire, a child can’t dare to play with.
Wike’s foray into Abuja politics has been marked by his unyielding approach to securing his place at the national table. He has leveraged his influence in Rivers and his political acumen to forge important alliances within the federal government, especially in the politics of the nation’s capital. Anyone familiar with Abuja would tell you that Wike is not just handling governance; he has also hijacked the politics of the city. Senator Aduda, the most influential of Abuja’s native politicians, is now a close ally of Wike.
Senator Ireti Kingibe who is now representing Abuja in the senate, attempted to put up a fight against the minister in the past, only to realize that men who are called men have tried and failed. She resisted. But even with her defiance, she knows she is serving just a term in the Senate. The Wike she once dared will see to her political retirement in 2027. With him at helms of the FCT politics, I doubt if she can win even the tiniest fraction of the city’s population in forthcoming elections.
The fear of this dogged fighter and fearless politician is the beginning of wisdom. He has succeeded in conquering the politics of Rivers State and now that of the FCT. As the 2027 elections approach, Wike will continue to be a key figure in the re-election of Tinubu’s government. His influence will play a pivotal role in ensuring our political success, particularly in the South-South, where his political networks are deeply rooted. For me, Wike is one of Nigeria’s most formidable politicians. Until his time to leave the stage comes, his influence on the nation’s political landscape will remain significant for years to come.
