Minister not an emperor, subject to scrutiny, says Amadi
Human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, has reiterated that only residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) can decide who becomes their senator in 2027, and not the minister of the territory, Nyesom Wike.

He said Wike can’t decide for the people because “FCT is not Rivers State, where election results are written with guns.”

The lawyer’s comment comes amid the minister’s face-off with the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe.

Kingibe had said Wike only focused on infrastructural projects that had less impact on the residents of FCT.

She accused the minister of not taking into cognisance the needs of FCT residents.

Responding, Wike warned that Kingibe would not return to the Senate in 2027.

Reacting, the activist lawyer reminded Wike that incumbent presidents are defeated in the FCT.

Posting on his X handle, Adeyanju wrote: “Only the people of FCT can decide who becomes Senator in 2027, not Wike. The arrogance of power is what will make Wike think he can decide for the people.

“FCT is not Rivers, where people write results and shoot guns. Even incumbent presidents get defeated in the FCT.

“I know these folks have 100 per cent control of INEC and other rigging mechanisms, but the arrogance is truly uncalled for.

“Nigerian politicians are like power drunk Nigerian celebrities and pastors, who can boast openly about getting the police to lock you up, and they will eventually do it.”

SIMILARLY, Director of the Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts, Dr Sam Amadi, has said the FCT and National Assembly have a legal framework to audit and oversee public expenditure by the ex-Rivers State governor.

He restated that the minister is not an emperor, stressing that he should be subject to diligent review for public expenditure.

In a post on his X handle yesterday, the former Executive Chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) wrote: “I hope the FCT and NASS have a legal framework to audit and oversee Wike’s public expenditure in Abuja.

“He is not an emperor. He is a public official, and should be subject to due process review for public expenditure as well.”

Wike had threatened to unseat Kingibe for criticising him.

Speaking at the flag-off of the Mabushi Bus Terminal in Abuja, the minister claimed that he overheard somebody, a lawmaker in the National Assembly, castigating the successes being recorded in the FCT.