The presidency has reportedly barred the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from holding his monthly media briefings, citing concerns over his conduct and the potential destabilisation of Rivers State, according to inside sources.
Sources close to the presidency said the decision was reportedly made because Wike’s briefings had become notorious for harassment, threats against political opponents, and inflammatory rhetoric.
“One of the reasons for the ban is that in Rivers State, relative calm is returning after Wike reportedly lobbied President Tinubu to declare a state of emergency when he was denied access to Rivers’ treasury by Governor Sim Fubara,” a source said.
Another source reportedly noted that Wike’s repeated attacks on Rivers elders who tried to mediate between him and Fubara stirred concern that he might reignite chaos.
“The president’s camp is worried that Wike’s outbursts, especially towards those elders, could plunge the state into another political meltdown,” a senior aide in the presidency reportedly stated.
The aide reportedly added that Wike remains defiant and is already putting pressure on the president’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, to call off the ban.
The crisis between Wike and Fubara reportedly escalated publicly in early 2025, culminating in President Tinubu’s emergency rule declaration in Rivers State, a move supported by the National Assembly.
Although both Wike and Fubara later agreed to a truce brokered by President Tinubu, tensions reportedly remain high.
The presidency’s decision also reportedly draws from corruption allegations against Wike, including claims that he secretly purchased three lakeside homes in Winter Springs, Florida, using large cash transactions, later transferring ownership to his children through quitclaim deeds.
Additionally, activist Omoyele Sowore has reportedly petitioned Florida authorities to seize those properties, accusing Wike of money laundering and failure to declare assets to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau.
Domestically, Wike has reportedly faced accusations of land grabbing in Abuja and arbitrary revocations of land allocations.
“The optics are perilous for our government. A minister who cannot be controlled is painful for the presidency,” one official reportedly said.
Officials reportedly added that Wike will still appear before vetted media interactions when necessary, but the monthly sessions have been suspended until further notice.
