Sule Lamido, former governor of Jigawa, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu appointed Nyesom Wike as minister of the federal capital territory (FCT) primarily to secure the south-south region.
Speaking on Prime Time, an Arise Television programme, on Tuesday, Lamido said Wike’s position in Tinubu’s administration is temporary and contingent on the president’s political interests.
“The whole appointment of Wike was to make sure Tinubu secures the south-south,” he said.
Lamido added that Tinubu has now gained a foothold in Akwa Ibom, Edo and Delta states, with Wike expectedly controlling Rivers state.
However, he warned that once Tinubu consolidates his hold on the entire south-south, Wike will become irrelevant and disposable.
“So far, maybe by Tinubu’s personal manipulation or coercion, he has been able to win over Akwa Ibom, Edo and Delta states. Wike already has Rivers state,” he said.
“By the time Tinubu is able to secure the south-south in his own basket, Wike will become irrelevant, and he will remove him.
“He appointed Wike for a purpose, gave him an office for a purpose; by the time the purpose is no more, that’s the end of it.”
On the political dynamics within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Lamido urged the coalition to adopt a more measured and strategic approach.
He criticised what he described as a rush among coalition members, saying “they should slow down and look at issues in a deeper way”.
He advised the coalition to focus on “calm, cool-headed” leadership and to build connections quietly before making a strong push against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The coalition should be able to look at the issues and you need people who are calm, cool headed and focused. Apparently, there are so many sprinters in ADC. They should be circumspect in the way they run,” he said.
“Let them look inward and keep connecting with people quietly, so that by the time they come out in full force, the energy will be there.
“I think there is too much rushing, there are too many sprinters there, they should slow down and look at issues in a deeper way, so that they will be able to remove this cancer called APC.”
