Tuesday, 22nd September
NYESOM WIKE: YOU ARE NOT GOD, THE POLITICAL DESTINY OF APC GOVERNORS IS NOT IN YOUR HAND
The Forum of Media Assistants to APC National Working Committee Members (FOMATA) has observed with growing concern and profound disappointment the recent public outburst by the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, in which he categorically declared that he will never support Progressive Governors or any candidate preferred by them to emerge as President of the Senate in the 11th National Assembly.
This statement, made with characteristic grandstanding on national television, is not only reckless and undemocratic, but represents a dangerous attempt by an individual to arrogate to himself powers that neither the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor the internal democratic structures of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have bestowed upon him.
We state without any ambiguity: Chief Nyesom Wike is not God.
The political destiny of APC Governors, the internal leadership arrangements of the ruling party, and the emergence of the President of the Senate are not matters subject to the personal veto, blackmail, or emotional outbursts of any single individual, no matter how highly placed or loud he may be.
It is a settled constitutional fact that the President of the Senate is elected by the one hundred and nine (109) Senators of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from among themselves, in accordance with Section 50 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and the Standing Orders of the Senate.
This process is neither the personal property of Chief Wike nor an extension of his political ego. No Minister, no former Governor, and no self-appointed political strongman has the authority to issue a decree on who may or may not occupy the exalted office of President of the Senate.
For Chief Wike to publicly declare that he will “never support” Progressive Governors in their legitimate interest regarding the leadership of the National Assembly is an act of political arrogance that borders on contempt for the democratic process. It is an attempt to intimidate, blackmail, and reduce the collective will of elected APC Governors to the status of subordinates who must seek his personal endorsement before exercising their constitutional and political rights.
We remind Chief Wike that APC Governors are not political apprentices. They are elected chief executives of their respective states, carrying the mandate of millions of Nigerians. They are major stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress and critical pillars in the sustenance of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and the progressive agenda. Their collective interest in ensuring that the leadership of the 11th National Assembly reflects the progressive character of the APC, supports the Renewed Hope Agenda, and protects the electoral fortunes of the party is both legitimate and democratic.
No amount of television theatrics, self-serving narratives about “Rainbow Coalitions,” or attempts to personalise every political disagreement can extinguish that right.
It is particularly disturbing that a Minister who has chosen to operate outside the mainstream structures of the APC on critical electoral matters now seeks to dictate the internal leadership choices of the party’s Governors. This is a classic case of overreach. Political access and temporary influence do not translate into permanent ownership of the party’s destiny.
History is replete with examples of individuals who mistook temporary relevance for permanent control, only to discover that political power is transient and that the will of the people and the collective decision of the party ultimately prevail. Chief Wike would do well to remember this immutable lesson of political life.
FOMATA therefore places it on record that:
- The leadership of the 11th National Assembly will be determined solely by the elected Senators and Members of the House of Representatives in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the internal democratic processes of the APC.
- No external conspiracy by Nyesom Wike, will be permitted to dictate, sabotage, or blackmail the legitimate political interests of APC Governors.
- The Progressive Governors’ Forum and the broader APC family reserve the full right to defend the integrity of the party and ensure that its leadership structures remain progressive, disciplined, and aligned with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
- The era of one-man absolutism, political intimidation, and personalised control over the affairs of the progressive family is over and will not be tolerated.
We call on all well-meaning members of the All Progressives Congress, party stakeholders across the thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory, and the Nigerian public to disregard any attempt by individuals to monopolise, personalise, or hijack the destiny of our great party and its elected leaders.
The APC is bigger than any individual. The Progressive Governors are not appendages of any Minister. And the leadership of the National Assembly is not a personal estate to be allocated or denied by the fiat of one man.
You are not God, Chief Nyesom Wike.
The political destiny of APC Governors is not in your hand.
It never was, and it never will be.
Signed:
Hon. Amb. Timothy Nwachukwu
Chairman
Engr. Ibrahim Mohammed
Secretary
Forum of Media Assistants to APC National Working Committee Members (FOMATA)
Abuja