The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, has dismissed calls by some politicians and interest groups for his removal from office, saying only President Bola Tinubu has the constitutional authority to sack him.
Wike stated this on Sunday during a “thank you” visit to his Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor, in Rivers.
He said that if the President believed he could no longer add value to governance, he had the right to remove him, stressing that such a decision was not for critics to make.
“Don’t bother about people who say ‘sack him.’ If my appointor believes that I cannot offer anything again, he has the right; it is not in your place to tell him what to do,” Wike said.
The minister was reacting to renewed calls for his sack over the lingering political crisis in Rivers.
According to him, there is no sentiment or emotion in politics, noting that interests, particularly the interest of the people, remain paramount.
Wike also declared that political power is not given but taken, insisting that Obio/Akpor plays a decisive role in determining electoral outcomes in Rivers.
“For the people of Obio/Akpor, we have the power to dictate who becomes governor in Rivers. Nobody has become governor in this state without Obio/Akpor making a pronouncement; nobody has become a senator of Rivers East without Obio/Akpor making a decision,” he said.
He added that political actors who abuse the area should not expect its support at the polls, warning that voters could respond decisively.
Wike said President Tinubu was fully aware of his contributions and did not require external pressure to decide on appointments, adding that the President had done much for the people of Rivers.
According to him, Rivers people would reciprocate Tinubu’s support in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing his critics, Wike said he chose to be a politician and not a pastor, trader, public commentator or journalist, urging them to allow him to play politics.
Earlier, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr Kingsley Chinda, said Obio/Akpor has over 684,000 votes out of the 3.5 million registered voters in Rivers, underscoring the political importance of the area.