Wike Is ‘Not An Ordinary Person’ – Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has cast a revealing light on the complex persona of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

He described Wike as a “bulldozer that must be managed or avoided,” in an interview on Channels TV’s Politics Today, on Friday.

Fayose’s remarks resonate with an understanding of Wike as a forceful, unyielding leader—one whose approach can be both transformative and tumultuous.

“When somebody says I will come to your house at a particular time and he arrives, you must know that there is a problem,” he warned, suggesting that Wike’s assertiveness could spark significant political ripples if not handled delicately.

This metaphorical bulldozer, in Fayose’s view, embodies both strength and potential hazard, necessitating a careful strategy for engagement.

The former Ekiti governor urged his fellow members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to exercise caution as tensions surfaced between Wike and another party figure, acknowledging the delicate dynamics at play within the party. “Before trouble erupts, can we find common ground to resolve this matter because you can’t build something on nothing?” Fayose cautioned, pointing out the fragility of political alliances and the necessity of dialogue in a contentious environment.

“The snippets I saw of Wike earlier is saying, ‘I’m warning now, I have said my own now.’ Before trouble will erupt, can we find common ground to resolve this matter because you can’t build something on nothing?

“We must tread carefully, honestly, I’m saying it that I have not seen Wike in a while, but tread cautiously.”

Fayose’s warning about Wike is layered; it reflects an understanding of the political landscape in which Wike operates—one where forthrightness and decisiveness can easily tip into confrontation. This perspective resonates particularly as the PDP gears up for future electoral contests, with Fayose even hinting at a potential rift within the party if it fields a northern candidate in the upcoming 2027 elections.

His criticism extended beyond internal party politics, as Fayose did not shy away from calling out former President Muhammadu Buhari for his governance. Fayose accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of messing up Nigeria.

He remarked, “When I say things, you don’t have to believe me today, but when it catches up with you, you will remember that Fayose told you.” This declaration speaks to Fayose’s assertive political style, characterized by his tendency to challenge the status quo and predict outcomes that many might overlook until they come to pass.

“This was how I told Nigerians, with all due respect to Buhari, that he will mess up this country, and everybody was shouting me down that let him do his government, which he has done and left you wounded, so what are you saying?”

In sum, Fayose’s depiction of Wike as a bulldozer encapsulates the dual nature of his character—a leader capable of significant progress but also one whose approach requires careful management. As the political landscape evolves, the interactions between Wike and other party members will undoubtedly shape the future of opposition party and its allies.