Despite his concerns about Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike’s political behaviour, Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has stated that he would still think about appointing the minister if he were president.
In an interview with Symfoni, Adebayo evaluated the Bola Tinubu administration and discussed current political developments, such as the Osun State election.
The SDP candidate had differing opinions about Wike.
He acknowledged the minister’s ability to work and cited the FCT’s visible infrastructure initiatives, even as he attacked the minister’s public statements and attitude to political power.
“I respect Wike for one thing: that he has a good work ethic. He can work,” Adebayo said.
Adebayo claims that Wike has accomplished more in the FCT than a number of former ministers.
He maintained that if state commissioners in charge of construction could achieve comparable outcomes, Nigeria’s infrastructure would significantly improve.
However, he questioned if all of the projects were worth the money, speculating that some of the contracts given out under Wike might have been exaggerated. However, he insisted that real work was being done.
Speaking from the viewpoint of an FCT resident, Adebayo claimed that the minister’s initiatives had enhanced daily living in the capital and made transport simpler.
He clarified that his main dispute with Wike was not about his ability to work, but rather about his public behaviour and his seeming support for the use of force in politics.
Adebayo called the minister a “bad example for Nigerian politics” and expressed his hope that Wike would finally realise that political authority is fleeting.
Additionally, he criticised the media for giving Wike undue emphasis on matters outside of the minister’s formal duties.
He believes that instead of frequently being given media venues to remark on broader political issues, Wike should be free to concentrate on the FCT.
Adebayo went on to say that some media outlets portray the minister as a “clown” by airing remarks that, in his opinion, diminish the dignity associated with his position.