“On Tinubu’s Watch, Wike Is Doing What VP Shettima Cannot Do” – Dele Momodu

By Gideon Njoku 

Dele Momodu, a two -time  presidential aspirant, and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC,  has expressed surprise that under President Bola Tinubu’s watch, the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has practically taken over Nigeria’s Capital Territory, and is exercising powers that not even Vice President Kashim Shettima will exercise.

He criticised Tinubu for not restraining Wike pointed out that the powers Wike flaunts, not even the Vice President flaunts them.

Momodu, an accomplished Magazine Publisher-turned politician, made this statement while criticizing President Tinubu’s public commendation of Wike following the recent FCT Council Election.

That commendation irked Momodu  who described it as disappointing. He argued that Wike’s conduct during the election raised serious  concerns about democracy.

Momodu who spoke on News Central TV said he was, at once,  ashamed and shocked as he watched the President applauding Wike. 

He remembered Nigeria’s struggle against military dictatorship and wondered  why a civilian administration would allow what Momodu described as “authoritarian tendencies” to flourish.

Said he: “Replacing military rule with civilian dictatorship contradicts the sacrifices made during the pro-democracy movement. 

“Wike wields enormous influence in Abuja and maintains strong links within security agencies, giving him access to intelligence briefings.

“Such access should remain strictly professional and not translate into overt political involvement,” Momodu said.

Minister Wike, Momodu accused, intimidates political opponents and acts in a manner that creates fear among governors and the electorate.

Momodu said Wike  operates like “a de facto Vice President” in the FCT, and is tolerated by the President because he perceives Wike could offer him electoral advantages ahead of the 2027 general election.

He said: “The Vice President cannot do what Wike is doing in Abuja, and Tinubu is watching. Why? Because he needs Wike next year for his own election. So you unleash him on the nation.

“But I know that whenever this would end, as it will surely end one day, the President will look back, and he will regret what he has done to our democracy. Because this is not what we promised Nigerians when we were fighting the military. It’s unfortunate.”