Wike Allegedly Abandons Ministerial Duties, Focuses on Rivers Ahead of 2027
Concerns have continued to trail the activities of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following reports that he has been largely absent from his official duties in Abuja for over two weeks while touring local government areas in Rivers State.
Since December 26, 2025, Wike has reportedly visited at least 20 of the 23 local government areas in the state. Although the minister has described the visits as a “thank-you” tour, his speeches have largely focused on the 2027 general elections, with calls for support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and sustained criticism of Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara.
The visits have coincided with major political developments in the state. Notably, Wike was in Bonny Local Government Area barely an hour after the Rivers State House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Governor Fubara and his deputy, Ngozi Odu, further fuelling speculations of deepening political calculations ahead of 2027.
Meanwhile, the Federal Capital Territory Administration has come under mounting pressure as labour unions threaten industrial action.
The Joint Union Action Congress issued a seven-day strike ultimatum beginning January 7, 2026, citing the non-release of overhead costs for the second half of 2025, five months of unpaid wage award arrears, alleged staff intimidation and phone usage restrictions at the FCT Geographic Information System, as well as unpaid wages for street sweepers and enforcement officers under the Abuja Environmental Protection Board.
The union warned that its members could no longer endure the continued denial of their entitlements, adding that the failure to grant financial autonomy had undermined effective administration in the FCT.
Critics have also questioned the minister’s prolonged absence from Abuja. Human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, said it was disturbing that political activities were taking centre stage despite the fact that the 2027 campaigns were yet to commence.
He also raised concerns over rising insecurity in the FCT, referencing the recent killings of a nurse and a lawyer while the minister was away.
Similarly, the spokesperson for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Paul Ibe, accused Wike of abandoning his responsibilities as FCT minister in favour of political control of Rivers State, while the National Secretary of the APC, Ajibola Basiru, suggested that the minister should resign if he intended to focus fully on politics in the state.
Responding to the criticisms, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, dismissed claims that the minister had neglected his duties, arguing that physical presence in Abuja was not mandatory in the digital age.
He said official files could be treated from anywhere and maintained that Wike was effectively performing his duties.
Olayinka also insisted that the Rivers visits were not campaigns but appreciation tours, adding that despite recent incidents, insecurity in the FCT had reduced under the minister’s leadership.
Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.
