The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that only President Bola Tinubu has the constitutional authority to remove him from office, brushing aside calls by critics demanding his sack over the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
Wike made the remarks during a thank-you tour of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, where he dismissed demands for his removal as baseless.
“People who say, ‘sack me,’ it doesn’t lie in their mouth. If my appointor believes that I can no longer offer anything, he has the right. It is not for you to tell him,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor stressed that political power is earned, not given, adding that influence determines leadership outcomes. Drawing a comparison, he said, “Power is not dashed; you struggle for it. If Donald Trump does not have power, will he go to Venezuela to pick a president?”
Wike also told residents that Obio/Akpor possessed the political strength to decide who governs, declaring, “The people of Obio/Akpor have the power to dictate who will rule.”
His comments came amid calls by the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) for his removal following impeachment proceedings initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly against Governor Siminalayi Fubara. The lawmakers accused the governor and his deputy of gross misconduct, triggering a seven-count impeachment process.
However, the Assembly’s spokesperson, Enemi George, dismissed claims that Wike orchestrated the impeachment move, describing such allegations as “insulting.” He said it was wrong to reduce the actions of a constitutionally established institution to the influence of an individual, adding that constitutional responsibilities should not be conflated with political disagreements.
The political rift between Wike and Fubara, largely centered on control of political structures in Rivers State, has continued to deepen despite earlier intervention by President Tinubu. Wike has accused the governor of reneging on agreements, describing it as a betrayal of trust, and has warned leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) backing Fubara to stay out of Rivers State politics.
Rivers State, a major oil-producing state and a key political hub in the South-South region, has seen growing concern among stakeholders that the prolonged conflict is undermining governance and stability.
