For all his malfeasance in Rivers State and in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led government, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike stands in the dock of public court and is sweating profusely. The reason is simple! The verdict is damning-he is found guilty as charged and must be punished for his brigandry.
Since failing to secure the presidential ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections and being outsmarted for the vice presidential slot by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who picked former Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, the former Rivers State Governor had been unforgiving and declared war on his own political party, preferring to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tinubu, who emerged ‘questionably victorious’ at the polls.
But in his deft and witty moves to dominate the politics of his home state of Rivers, he had pulled the strings to ensure that his political god-son, Siminalayi Fubara-emerged governor under the PDP to the consternation of the godfathers of Rivers State politics.
He and Fubara were soon to start a war of attrition over the control of Rivers’ politics and its resources that culminated in the declaration of a state of emergency and subsequent suspension of democratic governance from March 18, 2025 to September 18, 2025.
While grandstanding at the state and national levels (and of course enjoying the pecks of office and presidential shield), Wike, the strong man and troublemaker of Rivers State has been accused of monumental fraud in the acquisition of multiple property running into billions of Naira in Nigeria and overseas.
The minister’s graft allegations, which have come under serious scrutiny from several fronts, is the focus of this week’s edition of Tentacle with a caveat that if the Tinubu government desires to come clean in its fight against corruption, it must begin an investigation into Wike’s activities, especially allegations of massive acquisition of hectares of land for himself, cronies and members of his immediate and extended families in Abuja.
To this, Nigerians say that in the spirit of accountability and due process, the Tinubu administration must redeem itself by suspending Wike as it did in the twilight of his government when it sacked Betta Edu as Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management over the transfer of over N500 million into her personal account, which to all intents and purposes, remains infinitesimal compared to the weighty allegations against Wike.
As things stand, Nigerians have expressed concern that Wike remains untouchable under the Tinubu administration because there is no telling whether or not the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), will invite Wike for questioning as they seem to be looking away from the allegations against the minister.
In our commitment to telling truth to power and ensuring that Nigeria becomes a better country, we serve you the Federal Government’s dilemma in the Wikegate and why the government may ignore the allegations plus other sections that promise a great read including the insecurity challenge that has claimed the life of Arise TV correspondent, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, the planned resumption of oil production in Ogoniland and a rich blend of business and economy, sports and crime, among others. Enjoy the rich package!
