Only person that can question me is President – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, asserted on Tuesday night’s Arise TV interview that President Bola Tinubu is the only individual empowered to question him regarding his political pursuits. Defending his involvement in the Rainbow Coalition and dismissing backlash from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) governors, Wike contended that true leadership entails staying close to constituents and resolving internal political disagreements rather than attributing electoral issues to others. He stated, "The only person that can question me is the President."

Wike argued that politics is inherently local and that leaders who genuinely comprehend their constituents can galvanize support irrespective of their executive positions. He further criticized what he perceived as a deficiency in leadership among certain politicians who predominantly reside in Abuja, visiting their home states only intermittently.

"People just sit down in Abuja for two months, go home, spend two days and come back to Abuja. That’s not service to the nation at all. That’s not service to the state," Wike remarked. According to him, leadership requires convincing individuals to collaborate for the welfare of the state instead of pursuing personal interests. The FCT minister's remarks were in response to criticism from the Progressive Governors Forum, spearheaded by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, which had opposed any coalition that could allegedly undermine President Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027.