By Our Correspondent
Former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, has suggested that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may remove the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, once his political goals in the South-South region are accomplished.
Lamido made this remark during an appearance on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Tuesday night, where he analysed the political dynamics surrounding Wike’s controversial appointment and the larger game plan of the Tinubu administration.
“Tinubu was looking for someone who will help him in his political interest,” Lamido said.
According to the former governor, Wike’s inclusion in Tinubu’s cabinet was never out of goodwill, but rather part of a calculated political move to penetrate and dominate the South-South geopolitical zone ahead of future elections.
“The whole appointment of Wike was to make sure Tinubu secures the South-South.
“So far, he has been able to get Akwa Ibom and Edo states. Wike already has Rivers State.
“By the time Tinubu is able to secure the South-South in his own basket, Wike will become irrelevant, and he will remove him,” Lamido stated.
“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,” the former governor added.
Lamido’s comments come amid growing speculation about the strained relationship between Wike and key figures in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he has refused to officially abandon, despite working under an APC-led government.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State, has remained a central figure in Nigeria’s political drama since the 2023 elections, where his alignment with Tinubu caused a major rift within the PDP. Many analysts believe his influence helped Tinubu make inroads into traditionally PDP-dominated South-South states.
However, Lamido’s warning paints a picture of potential betrayal and political discard once Wike’s usefulness is deemed exhausted.
