The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike — a former governor of Rivers State, seasoned lawyer, and member of the Body of Benchers — appears to be a man favoured by the gods of politics. His string of victories across various political fronts speaks to this fortune. However, beyond luck, Wike’s formidable personality is likely a key ingredient in his success. He is deliberate in picking his battles, and once he commits to a stance, he holds firmly to it, no matter the odds.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike—lawyer, former Rivers governor, and member of the Body of Benchers—appears to be favoured by the gods of politics. While his repeated political triumphs may seem like sheer luck, a closer look reveals that Wike’s personality and strategy are integral to his success. He picks his battles deliberately and commits fully, showing an unflinching resolve once he takes a stand.

Historical records show that Wike backed Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi’s emergence as the PDP governorship candidate in Rivers State in 2007, defying powerful federal forces. Even when Amaechi fled to Ghana amid threats, Wike remained steadfast—reportedly selling his father’s property to finance the legal war that brought Amaechi to power. Yet, judging by Amaechi’s recent interview on national TV, that sacrifice appears underappreciated.

When Amaechi fell out with President Goodluck Jonathan, Wike chose loyalty to the president and, bolstered by the fiery support of First Lady Patience Jonathan, emerged as PDP’s governorship candidate. Amaechi defected to the APC to back Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 presidential bid, but Wike’s calculated decision paid off: he won the governorship, despite resistance from his estranged political godfather. Since then, Wike’s star has only risen.

As governor, Wike’s infrastructural projects earned him accolades from across party lines—including praise from President Buhari. Following his unsuccessful presidential run, Wike rejected overtures from Labour Party’s Peter Obi and PDP’s Atiku Abubakar, who defeated him at the primary and snubbed him for the VP slot. Instead, Wike aligned with APC’s Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Wike masterfully rallied PDP governors from Benue, Enugu, Abia, and Oyo to oppose Atiku’s candidacy. He toyed with Labour Party’s Peter Obi while negotiating power deals with the APC—right under the nose of Amaechi, now an APC heavyweight. He secured PDP victories for his handpicked governorship and legislative candidates in Rivers, while delivering the presidential vote to APC—stunning both allies and rivals.

In the PDP National Working Committee (NWC), Wike backed National Secretary Samuel Anyanwu against strong internal opposition. Despite Anyanwu’s controversial return after a failed governorship bid in Imo, Wike defended his position, citing the PDP and 1999 constitutions, which allow party officials to contest elections without resigning. Efforts to unseat Anyanwu through the courts collapsed at the Supreme Court, which ruled that party affairs are beyond judicial interference.

Rather than healing its wounds, PDP continues to unravel. The BoT has taken sides, the governors are divided, and the NWC is locked in a bitter standoff. Even as the party teeters on the edge, Wike has remained firm in backing Anyanwu. Over the weekend, at Anyanwu’s 60th birthday celebration—held at the newly refurbished ICC, renamed in honour of President Tinubu—Wike advised him to stand tall: “Those who opposed you will eventually seek your face; don’t go searching for theirs.”

This fearless streak is perhaps what most endears Wike to President Tinubu, himself a battle-hardened political tactician. When Tinubu called Wike an “asset,” it wasn’t just praise for his remarkable work as FCT Minister—it was recognition of Wike’s political essence. As the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said, “only the deep can connect with the deep.”

Wike, having installed Siminalayi Fubara as governor, later fought to reclaim him from opportunists seeking to hijack his political legacy. He didn’t retreat; instead, he dug in and emerged victorious. Months before the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers, this writer had advised Fubara to play by the rules of the game he voluntarily entered.

President Tinubu remains Wike’s most prominent admirer. With his sweeping infrastructural reforms in the FCT, Wike has earned broad public praise and presidential approval. For over two weeks, Tinubu has been commissioning landmark projects that boost both his administration’s profile and the APC’s appeal—thanks to Wike’s delivery power.

From roads and flyovers to water schemes and modern transport hubs, Wike’s achievements in less than two years are staggering. It’s no surprise Tinubu sees him as a political and developmental asset.

What remains uncertain is whether President Tinubu will succeed in pulling that asset into the APC fold—as he so clearly desires.