Dele Momodu Urges Tinubu to Distance Himself from Wike

Renowned publisher and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider his political association with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. In a strongly worded response to Wike’s criticisms during a recent appearance on Politics Today, Momodu warned that Wike’s character and political trajectory make him an unsuitable figure to be elevated within national politics.

Speaking candidly, Dele Momodu advised Tinubu to put aside any anticipated political benefits that Wike might offer in the build-up to the 2027 general elections. He argued that political power and the accompanying privileges have profoundly transformed Wike over the years, making him unworthy of greater national prominence. “No matter what you are expecting to gain from Wike in 2027, Wike is not the kind of character you should promote; he is not the kind of young man who should hijack our common patrimony,” Momodu stated.

The Corrupting Influence of Power: How Wike Has Changed

Delving deeper into Wike’s political evolution, Dele Momodu asserted that the former Rivers State Governor has been significantly altered by the trappings of power. According to him, Wike’s ascent from relative obscurity to positions of influence has exposed the dangers of unchecked political authority in Nigeria. Momodu warned that when individuals with limited exposure to power suddenly ascend to public office, they risk becoming oppressive themselves.

“When a man who had been a nobody gets power, he begins to change slowly and steadily,” Dele Momodu observed. He described Wike as an example of how power can corrupt character and values. Using a striking metaphor, he said, “The oppressed man respects only one man: the oppressor.” He noted that Wike, once deferential to former Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, has now himself become the embodiment of what he once resisted.

The Rise of Wike: From Local Government Chairman to Political Heavyweight

Dele Momodu traced Wike’s political journey, noting that his metamorphosis began when he became a local government chairman in Rivers State. From that modest political office, Wike climbed steadily through the ranks, eventually serving as Minister of State for Education, then as Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, before his appointment as FCT Minister in August 2023 under Tinubu’s administration.

Dele Momodu argued that Wike’s growing access to power coincided with a shift in his values and behavior. “After power in Nigeria comes the spirit of money. Also very demonic if you don’t know how to manage it well,” Momodu remarked. He suggested that the intoxicating effects of political influence and wealth led Wike away from his earlier ideals, resulting in a more abrasive and controversial political persona.

A Friendship Turned Sour: Momodu and Wike’s Political Rivalry

The relationship between Momodu and Wike was once amicable, with both men sharing mutual respect and collaboration. Momodu recounted how Wike, as governor, invited him to Rivers State in 2022 to help showcase government projects through media coverage, further strengthening their personal and professional ties.

However, their relationship began to deteriorate irreversibly when both men declared their intentions to run for the PDP presidential ticket in the 2023 general elections. Alongside other aspirants, they lost to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Since then, Momodu and Wike have traded barbs, with political ambition and ideological differences widening the rift between them. Momodu lamented that despite the support he once offered Wike, their friendship could not withstand the pressures of political rivalry.

The Road to 2027: Political Calculations and National Interest

Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Dele Momodu’s appeal to President Tinubu is framed as a matter of national interest rather than partisan calculation. He cautioned that promoting individuals like Wike, whose political conduct he views as divisive and self-serving, could undermine democratic values and governance.

Dele Momodu’s comments reflect broader concerns within the PDP and beyond about the kind of leadership Nigeria needs to overcome its deepening socio-political challenges. As the political landscape begins to shift in preparation for another election cycle, his remarks may resonate with those who believe that character and integrity should play a central role in leadership selection.

In the unfolding political drama, it remains to be seen how President Tinubu will navigate his complex relationship with Wike, especially as both men weigh the strategic importance of alliances ahead of 2027.