Sunday Southerner — Editorial
The recent face-off between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyessom Wike and the presenter of Politics Today, a flagship current affairs programme on Channels TV, Seun Okinbaloye marked a turning point in the conduct of a public officer, who chose to ride roughshod over perceived opponents.
Wike, in an interview with some select journalists, was unmistaken in his tirade on the TV presenter. He did not care that his comments effectively mired his office in the mud. Such was his rage that it was a wonder that the interviewers could have been targeted if they had dared to challenge him.
One of the journalists had asked the FCT Minister about his thoughts on Nigeria’s gradual regress into a one-party state, especially with 31 out of the 38 governors in the country, now members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It was a question well put since Wike had become the unofficial spokesperson of the APC and the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lately.
Rather than respond to the question, the former governor of Rivers State chose to descend into a morass unfit to be associated with the position he currently occupies. He took his audience to Okinbaloye’s diatribe on the state of the nation, including APC'”s celebration of 31 governors now in its fold.
Wike shot directly from the hips as he bared his mind on what was the Channels TV presenter’s fundamental right to express opinion on any national topical issue. “If there was anyway I could have broken the screen, I would have shot him” (Seun Okinbaloye). Undoubtedly a point-blank declaration.
Despite attempts by Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka to play down the impact of the Minister’s statement, the import was not lost on Nigerians. It was characteristic of a man who has opted to soak the reputation of his office in the mud.
Indeed, the former governor is used to talking down at perceived opponents, often deploying uncouth language to have maximum effect. From traditional rulers to Elder Statesmen, Governors to political party leaders, legislators to public officers, none have been spared the fiery of his uncouth tongue.
But, nothing can be compared to his seeming self assigned role to destroy all opposing political parties in order to give the APC an advantage in electoral contests. He has also become more known for undermining public institutions like the judiciary than upholding truth as an officer of the law.
Sunday Southerner believe that it’s about time that the FCT Minister is told the truth about the consequences of his actions on Nigeria’s nascent democracy. It’s about time that someone put the mirror in his face and show him who he truly is.
Threatening reporters, resorting to bullying of opponents, conducting one self in a manner that undermines institutions or deploying uncouth language are not he hallmarks of a public office holder.
As a former local government chairman, former governor and two time Minister, Nigerians expect better conduct from Wike. He must strive to be a model of positive values instead of displaying recalcitrant behaviour. He would do well by dignifying the office he occupies as Minister.
It is also our contention that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who appointed Wike as Minister can help rein in his too many excesses in office.
Above all, President Tinubu must be reminded that Wike does not hesitate in taking prisoners. He is known to have talked down at his benefactors in the past. And there’s no guarantee that the FCT Minister would not extend same gesture to the President in the future. It’s about time somebody told him enough of public display of his seeming rascality.
