Barring any last minute considerations bordering on winning Rivers State in 2027 elections, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a stern warning to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, directing him to concentrate fully on his ministerial responsibilities in Abuja or risk losing his appointment.
The directive was conveyed on Tuesday, 13 January 2026, through the President’s Special Adviser on Political and Intergovernmental Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Ya’u Darazo, during a press briefing in Abuja.
Speaking to journalists, Darazo made it clear that President Tinubu would no longer tolerate distractions from official duties by any member of his cabinet, stressing that ministers were appointed to serve Nigerians, not to fuel political tensions elsewhere.
According to him, “no political office holder, including the Minister of the FCT, should be involved in actions capable of heating up the polity in Rivers State or any other part of the country, especially when such actions distract from official responsibilities.”
He added that the President’s position was unequivocal and applied across board, insisting that loyalty to duty and discipline were non-negotiable under the Tinubu administration.
The warning comes amid growing political tension in Rivers State, where Wike, a former governor of the oil-rich state, has remained deeply involved in local political battles, despite his appointment as a federal minister. His continued presence and comments in Rivers politics have drawn criticism from political actors and commentators, who argue that his actions undermine governance and distract from his role as FCT minister.
Darazo explained that the President’s intervention was aimed at reinforcing standards of conduct within government, ensuring ministers give undivided attention to their portfolios, and safeguarding the integrity of ministerial appointments.
“The President expects total commitment from his ministers. Governance requires focus, discipline and responsibility. Any action that detracts from this will attract consequences,” the presidential aide stated.
Reacting previously to calls for his resignation, Wike had acknowledged that his position was entirely at the discretion of President Tinubu, noting that only the President had the constitutional authority to remove him from office. He, however, maintained that he had been delivering on his mandate in Abuja while defending his political relevance in Rivers State.
The development has triggered mixed reactions within political circles, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with some party stakeholders urging the President to enforce discipline, while others caution against actions that could further inflame political tensions in Rivers.
Analysts say the President’s warning signals a broader move by the Tinubu administration to draw clear lines between governance and partisan politics, especially as political realignments ahead of future elections begin to intensify across the country.
For now, the message from the Presidency is clear: ministers must choose between full dedication to public office and partisan political battles, as failure to comply could cost them their seats in government.
