Mr Nyesom Ezebunwo Wike is so many things put together
To some he is an astitute politician, many believes he is a power broker , others sees him as Mr Project , fearless and a force to be reckoned with while many others see him as a mere bull determined to have his way at all cost irrespective of the consequences of his actions or inactions
I wouldn’t want to waste your time to dig into the background of a man who rose from absolute nothing to becoming a strong force in Nigeria’s polity
Well , politically , Nyesom Wike’s political journey began when he was elected as the Chairman of Obiakpor LGA in Rivers under the leadership Mr Peter Odili ( whom many believe is his political godfather) the two term governor of the State
When Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi became the Governor of Rivers State, he elevated Wike to the enviable position of Chief of Staff
It was during this period that Wike was able to fine tune his political strength
As Goodluck Jonathan took over the helm of Affairs as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and needed a Minister from Rivers State , Rotimi Amaechi who felt Wike was becoming a strong force in Rivers politics decided to ship him to Abuja
Jonathan eventually appointed Wike his Minister of State ( Education)
With the tenure of Amaechi nearing it’s end and having fallen out with the PDP by joining other politicians to form the spliter group NPDP , Goodluck Jonathan felt there was the need for the party to get a very ” strong ” candidate to confront Rotimi Amaechi and his newly found love ( APC )
With he insistent of his wife , Mrs Jonathan, Nyesom Wike found favour with the first lady who recommended him as the governorship of the party
The rest is history
Nyesom Wike’s 8 years as Governor was characterised with a lot of developmental projects which earned him the name MR PROJECT
But in doing so , he was able to amass to himself so much power because of the huge financial war chest coming to Rivers State
With so much at his beck and call , he was able to bully his way into the PDP and practically seized all the political machinery of the party
He determined who gets what at the party , he got his candidate elected chairmen and fired at will
He was the power behind the election of Uche Secondus ( his kinsman) as National Chairman .
When he fell out with him , he made sure he was sacked .
He later backed another Benue State candidate as the National Chairman
Towards the expiration of his 8 year tenure, Wike felt it was time to aim for the highest office in the Land , the Presidency
But he had a match in the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who eventually won the primary in 2023
His attempts at being picked as Atiku’s Vice failed as he opted for Ifeanyi Okowa
This led to his revolting and joining forces with the candidate of the APC Bola Ahmed Tinubu who eventually won the 2023 election
Tinubu compensated Wike by appointing him the Minister of FCT a position he currently occupies
Many believe that Nyesom Wike has brought a lot of positives since he was appointed FCT minister to which the President seems to be happy with
But beyond all these achievements, is his unending crisis he is having with his political godson Siminalayi Fubara
Currently Rivers State is under emergency rule and Fubara placed on suspension
Wike has practically taken over the job of the Minister of Information as well as behaving as if he is the Acting President of Nigeria
He is the only government official who ” addresses ” Nigerians every month live on atleast 6 National Television stations AIT , Channels TV , TVC , Arise TV , NTA , News Central TV and others paying millions of Naira on airtime on a ” STATE OF NATION ADDRESS “
He uses the airtime to lambast his perceived political enemies and “enemies ” of government with little time for his primary job
It also affords him to spend time to talk about Rivers State like an emperor
Many people are also of the school of thought that Nyesom Wike also has the Judiciary under his armpits
This has made a lot of Nigerians to describe Nyesom Wike as NIGERIA’S ACTING PRESIDENT
The current government led by President Bola Tinubu obviously is either enjoying the theatrical jobs being done by Wike or seems to be at a loss as to how to handle him
Nyesom Wike has become so ” big ” that he is untouchable, he can do and undo without anyone calling him to order
For now no one knows how to stop this moving train called Wike
But in due time , we’ll get to know
All praise our ” Acting President ” Barr Nyesom Wike
Chris Kehinde Nwandu is the Executive Editor CKNNews
