Opinion
Wike: Unstoppable Against All Odds

By Jotham Ayuba Fnim, Aimim
It was on 28th August 1963, some 60 years ago, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, in Washington DC, United States, that renowned African-American activist, Martin Luther King Jr. recited his chilly, bone-piercing, famous and evergreen revolutionary speech, tittled; “I have a dream”. “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character”.
Those were Martin Luther King Jr’s opening statements which were supposed to eradicate sentimentalism, fanaticism and erode religious bigotry but decades after, our dear country Nigeria is still immersed in and cocooned by religious segregation fueled by so called religious leaders and political juggernauts.
The recent of such sentimental, fanatical and religious outburst has been targeted towards the very energetic, witty, and ‘lets call a spade, a spade’ former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, who was recently appointed as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory by Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The grouse of the religious leaders, is that President Tinubu ignored what they described as “sensitive nature of Abuja” by appointing Wike, a southern minority Christian, to oversee the FCT, but the original Abuja inhabitants have applauded the appointment, expressing happiness that the administration of the FCT, for once, has not been made the birthright of Hausa, Fulani or Muslims.
Let me digress a little from the main core of this incessive article and harp on the formation of Abuja as the FCT for clarity and comprehension.
“Abuja” was in the earlier 20th century the name of the nearby town now called Suleja.
The indigenous inhabitants of Abuja are the Gbagyis, with the Gbagyi language formerly being the major language of the region. Other groups in the area include; the Bassa, Gwandara, Gade, Dibo, Egburra, Nupe and Koro. However, in light of the ethnic and religious divisions of Nigeria, plans had been devised since Nigeria’s independence from in 1960 to have its capital in a place deemed neutral to all major ethnic parties, and also in close proximity to all the regions of Nigeria.
The location was eventually designated in the centre of the country in the early 1970s as it signified neutrality and national unity.
The Federal Military Government of Nigeria, promulgated decree No. 6 on 4th February 1976, which initiated the removal of the Federal Capital from Lagos to Abuja. The initial work for Abuja’s planning and implementation were carried out by the Military Government of General’s Murtala Mohammed and Olusegun Obasanjo. However, the foundation of Abuja was under the Administration of Shehu Shagari in 1979. Abuja, which is the eighth most populous city of Nigeria, eventually replaced Lagos, the country’s most populous city, as Nigeria’s capital on 12th December 1991.
Having established these facts, it is pertinent to say that in its 24years as the FCT no Christian or Southerner had manned the position of Minister of the territory, as the position has been held only by persons from the North West and North East as if the seat is meant for the other religious sect. Where has been the place of equity and justice in this story as readily captured by the great Greek philosopher, Plato, who said, “Democracy… is a charming form of government, full of variety and disorder; and dispensing a sort of equality to equals and unequals alike”.
Since 1999, The North West and the North East have produced three ministers apiece.
Those who had served as FCT ministers are Mohammed Musa Bello (November 2015 – 29th May 2023), Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed (8th April, 2010 – 29th May, 2015, Muhammad Adamu Mainasara Aliero (17th December, 2008 – 8th April, 2010, Aliyu Modibbo Umar (27th July, 2007 – 29th October, 2008), Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai, (17th July, 2003 – 27th July, 2007), Mohammed Abba Gana (8th February, 2001 – 17th July, 2003) and Ibrahim Bunu (1999-2001). They were all Muslims. Jeremiah Useni, from Plateau State, was last Christian to serve as FCT Minister in the last 25 years and that was before Nigeria fully embraced democracy. It would be right to say that during the military junta, the likes of Jeremiah Useni, John Jatau Kadiya and maybe two more where Christians – and they were from the North. At that time the seat was rotated sort of to accommodate both religion.
It is a misnomer of the highest order and an insulting, ill-timed and injurious statement to, therefore, christen the appointment of Wike as the FCT Minister, as “against the sensitive nature of Abuja”. This is owing to the fact that even the real owners of the territory – the Gbagyis – have not tested or savoured the seat, not due to their incompetence but due to the commandeering nature of the Hausa/Fulani Muslims who presumptuously think that Nigeria and indeed the seat of the FCT is a birthright that should not be handed over to any other religions or sect.
We cannot seat back and allow mediocres take over positions of leadership in Nigeria just because they come from a certain religion (Islam) and purport that the state belongs to them. Such idiosyncrasies have plunged the most populous country in Africa into slimy quicksilver that is threatening to swallow Nigeria, as decadence has taken over progression. A nation touted or prophesied to become one of the most developed in Africa and the world at large, is now on the brinks of collapse – gradually sliding into a ‘Banana Republic’ and a failed state.
Even the appointment of Major General Christopher Gwabin Musa as the Chief of Defence Staff has been met with stiff opposition by those who believe that power is theirs alone.
Should we not be talking of Wike’s competence and qualifications for the position of FCT Minister, rather than his religion and the region he hails from, so much for one Nigeria. We must begin to put square pegs in square holes and that was exactly what president Tinubu demonstrated by appointing the sagacious and strongwilled former governor of Rivers State as FCT Minister. Wike’s accomplishment as a former Governor speaks volumes and in fact, I think it is imperative to walk you through some of these envious achievements.
Beyond the massive infrastructural development and various project commissioned, which continue to attract the attention and presence of eminent leaders across the federation, Governor Wike had positively impacted all sectors of River State’s economy while revolutions in the health, agricultural and education sectors, the strings of flyovers scattered all over strategic points in Port Harcourt to decongest a seemingly insurmountable traffic situation are a clear attestation to what visionary and people-oriented leadership can do.
Agricultural productivity was boosted with a state Cassava Processing Company with 3,000 uptakers, there are three new campuses for the State University supported with N9billion takeoff grant; Wike also established a Medical School for the state university and gave scholarships to Rivers indigenes studying Medicine at Pamo University.
In addition, 5,000 youths were recruited into the Rivers state civil service towards reducing youth unemployment, in sports, the Real Madrid Football Academy has been established to combine education and football towards addressing youth development and grooming of future stars.
In the health sector, there is now a Mother/Child Hospital to address antenatal and paediatric health issues while a Cancer/Cardiovascular Disease Centre is about to be established in Rivers state.
Those are just a few of the plethora of transformations that Wike accomplished as governor of Rivers State and upon assumption of office as the FCT Minister, his statement showed he was a man on a mission with the sole aim of repositioning the capital and bringing about unequalled restructuring.
Those who think that President Tinubu’s ministerial appointments were obscure and a mismatch, should have a rethink, as he is proving to be fixing the right people for suitable positions.
Ayuba writes from Abuja and can be reached through: jotham.agwam@gmail.com
Opinion
Opinion: Plateau At Its Bleeding Peak

By Rinret Jennifer Mwarap
The unrelenting massacre of citizens in Plateau State has reached an alarming level. While the government claims to be taking steps to restore order, the reality on the ground tells a different story one that feels like nothing meaningful is being done.
It is heartbreaking to see our loved ones butchered without cause. The questions torment us: What have we done wrong? Who have we offended? Where did we go astray? Must we continue to endure this suffering for no justifiable reason?
The killing of innocent people in Plateau must come to an end. The government and security forces cannot afford to look away. Their responsibility is clear they must act swiftly and decisively to bring the perpetrators to justice, for the sake of the innocent victims and the children left behind.
I call on the Governor of Plateau State to rise to this challenge. Take bold and immediate action against those who seek to destroy our land and shed innocent blood. Let them face the full weight of the law.
This feels like a nightmare—how did we get to the point where the same Plateau where I once slept peacefully with both eyes closed is now a place where even sleeping with one eye open feels unsafe?
Where is the peace in our “Home of Peace and Tourism”?
When will our tears dry? When will justice prevail?
If we truly seek peace, then justice must be non-negotiable.
National
Ken Nnamani Denies Pleading With Abbo On Judge’s Behalf

Ken Nnamani, a former president of the senate, says he did not beg Elisha Abbo, a former senator representing Adamawa north, on behalf of any judge after the ex-lawmaker lost his election case in court.
In October 2023, the court of appeal sacked Abbo and declared Amos Yohanna, candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the winner of the Adamawa north senatorial election.
Appearing on Channels Television on Wednesday, Abbo said he was a victim of “miscarriage of justice”.
The former senator said Nnamani pleaded with him on behalf of a judge after he lost his election case in 2023.
Reacting in a statement, the former senate president described Abbo’s claim as “blatant lies”.
“My greatest surprise was to hear him state that Senator Ken Nnamani visited him to plead with him on behalf of a judge for the miscarriage of justice. This statement is a blatant lie. I do not know how Senator Abbo can boldly fabricate an event that never happened to buttress his allegation of judicial miscarriage against him,” he said.
“For the avoidance of doubt, I have never visited Senator Elisha Abbo at his house or anywhere. Up to this moment, I do not know where he lives. I have never discussed with him about his case, or any case pending or decided by any court of law in Nigeria.
“The only time I met with him was when he visited me in my house. It was more of a social visit by him. At this meeting, we never discussed his case or any case. I recall that when the matter of his political career came up, I advised him to avoid controversies as a young politician.
“The statements Senator Abbo made regarding me and his case are all fabrications. I believe I have had a sterling and distinguished public service career. I am determined to maintain my integrity and commitment to excellence till the end of my life.”
National
FG To Implement Policy Compelling IOCs To Drill Or Drop Inactive Oil Wells

Heineken Lokpobiri, minister of state for petroleum resources, says the federal government plans to commence implementing the drill-or-drop provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Section 94 of the PIA gives operators a period of three years to begin oil production or relinquish the assets to the federal government.
Speaking during the Cross Industry Group (CIG) meeting held on Tuesday in Florence, Italy, Lokpobiri said it is in the best interest of the country that all inactive wells go to work.
He said the federal government, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, has provided every necessary incentive to ensure international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria run smoothly and profitably.
“Now, it is imperative for these industry players to match the government’s efforts with increased investment by announcing final investment decisions (FIDs),” he said.
Furthermore, Lokpobiri discussed “the challenges, expectations, and measures to enhance the sector’s contributions towards domestic energy needs and regional expansion across Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He emphasised that while IOCs have highlighted engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractors as a challenge, “EPCs will not come unless they see strong commitments from industry players”.
“The government has done its part to provide the requisite and investment-friendly fiscals, the ball is now in the court of the IOCs and other operators to make strategic investment decisions that will drive increased production and sustainability in the sector,” he said.
“We must also recognise that domestic crude supply is essential to national energy security. The best solution to this challenge lies in increasing production, which will ensure a balance between domestic supply obligations and external commitments.”
The minister further urged industry players to explore collaborative measures, such as shared resources for contiguous assets and the release of underutilised assets to operators ready to invest in production.