Media personality and Arise TV anchor, Rufai Oseni, has resurfaced an old video of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in which he strongly opposed godfatherism in Nigerian politics.
The video, recorded during Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State, has gone viral on social media. In the clip, Wike is heard declaring that he would not impose a successor after leaving office, stressing that leadership choice belongs solely to the people.
“The day I leave as Governor of Rivers State, in the name of Almighty God, I have no power to choose a successor because the people have the right to decide who leads them,” Wike said in the video.
The resurfacing of the footage comes amid ongoing political tension in Rivers State, as Wike is currently touring all 23 local government areas in what is widely seen as a move to reclaim control of the state’s political structure from Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
During a recent outing, the FCT Minister warned that he could become politically irrelevant if Governor Fubara is re-elected. In apparent reference to the governor, Wike also stated that the “mistake of 2023” would not be repeated in the next election.
The contrasting positions have reignited debate online, with many social media users drawing attention to the apparent shift between Wike’s past statements and his current political actions.
