As the violence in Rivers State escalates following the recent local government council elections, Nigerians are demanding that President Bola Tinubu call the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to order.
This comes after several local government secretariats in the state were set ablaze by suspected arsonists, prompting Tinubu to order the police to secure government offices and restore peace.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu condemned the violence and called on political leaders, including Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to exercise restraint.
While the president emphasized the importance of safeguarding public institutions, his failure to directly address Wike’s influence in the state has sparked widespread outrage.
On social media, specifically on Twitter (X), critics expressed frustration, accusing Wike of being the mastermind behind the unrest.
Many have called for his immediate removal from Tinubu’s cabinet, arguing that his continued presence is fueling the tensions.
One user wrote, “Sack your Minister of FCT and see how quiet the state will be. You know who is the problem and the reason behind the violence.”
Others criticized Tinubu’s approach, suggesting that his call for political actors to de-escalate the situation was too vague and did not hold Wike accountable. “@james_orsh75348: There is a chief security officer in Rivers State, let him do his job, but Wike’s influence is overshadowing that,” a Twitter user commented.
The sentiment was echoed by many, with one user asking if Tinubu was “afraid of Wike.”
Several users pointed to Tinubu’s history as Lagos State governor, accusing him of allowing similar patterns of unrest and blaming him for using the same strategies to maintain political control. “Is this not the same pattern he used in governing Lagos… he’s emboldening Wike the way he empowered certain actors in Lagos,” one commenter argued.
Warnings about the potential consequences of Wike’s unchecked power also surfaced. One user noted, “Tell Tinubu that the freedom he gave Wike, his appointee, to behave anyhow with power will be his greatest undoing.”
See the full reactions below;
@ijawboy2: Sack your Minister of FCT and see how quiet the state will be.
You know who is the problem and the reason behind the problem.
If state capture worked for you in Lagos, you shouldn’t embolden another with the institutions of state to replicate it in Rivers State.
@Christ48264345
Nonsense, just imagine how this man is handling the crisis in Rivers State so this man cannot call for wike’s arrest or what? Just look at the way he’s shielding his minister . Can this happen in sane society
@james_orsh75348: Tinubu should cushion Wike, I see this statement as political, how can one man be causing violence and you will be calling on actors to be restraints, who are the actors ?, There is a chief security officer in Rivers state, he should be allowed to exercise his duties as Governor,
@SamuelIse3: Why can’t him call on Wike or is him afraid of Wike or what, in fact I am totally ashamed of Mr president Tinubu, imagine the kind of people he chose as a minister in his regime what a shame
@DouglasBolarin: Is this not the same pattern he used in governing Lagos as the state governor, abi you have forgotten the days of Ketu-Mile 12 mayhem, Hausa-Fulani and the unrest caused by OPC? You must have switched grounds cos you are eating from the cake now but I can refresh you with details
@DwizardKing: Tell Tinubu that the freedom he gave wike his appointee to behave anyhow with power will be his greatest undoing. “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely” wike will bring the Tinubu government in enmity with the Nigerian masses. A word is enough for the wise
@Big_Sinudo: It is not obvious to the blind that the FCT Minister is the problem in the state.
@SamsonFanokun: Timely intervention, politicians and their followers in rivers are so dull cos how do you destroy what actually belongs to you.
If you ain’t happy at wike or fubara moves you know where they both stay why not dare visit them and not destructive attempt.
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@patibeawuchi2: How do you decry violence that you are the sponsor ? President Tinubu is the chief sponsor of the violence in Rivers state through Wike his minister.
