Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was purely strategic and politically motivated to secure the South-South region ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during an appearance on Prime Time, a programme on Arise Television, on Tuesday, Lamido said Wike’s role in Tinubu’s administration is temporary and will become irrelevant once Tinubu consolidates political dominance in the region.
“The whole appointment of Wike was to make sure Tinubu secures the South-South,” Lamido stated.
According to the former foreign affairs minister, Tinubu has already made significant inroads into Akwa Ibom, Edo, and Delta states, while Wike remains influential in Rivers. However, Lamido warned that Wike’s influence would diminish once Tinubu achieves full control of the zone.
“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 evolving opposition coalition being championed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other parties, Lamido urged members to adopt a more strategic and thoughtful approach rather than rushing into political alliances.
“The coalition should be able to look at the issues. You need people who are calm, cool-headed, and focused,” he said.
He cautioned that many in the coalition are acting like “sprinters,” eager to make noise without laying the necessary groundwork. According to him, defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would require patience, discipline, and careful political planning.
“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,” Lamido said. “There is too much rushing. They should slow down and look at issues in a deeper way, so that they will be able to remove this cancer called APC.”
