The announcement of the former governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has triggered a flurry of reactions.
There are fears that Wike, a man who takes no prisoners in any political fight, may launch a demolition spree of properties belonging to members of the opposition once he settles down as the overseer of the Federal Capital Territory.
One post bearing his photograph was accompanied with a comment in a WhatsApp group: “He’s now the FCT Minister. I just hope that Wadata Plaza has a genuine C of O. Because………..”
Wadata Plaza is the National Headquarters of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) situated in the FCT.
Wike has been at war with the PDP’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, and by extension, loyalists of the former Vice President.
In the build up to the presidential election, Wike sealed off business outlets belonging to a former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Austin Okpara, a staunch supporter of Atiku. The business outlets were located in the Port Harcourt metropolis.
Wike, also as Rivers Governor, clamped down on the business premises of one of Atiku’s supporters, then serving House of Representatives member; Chinyere Igwe. The locations of the businesses were also in Port Harcourt.
The clampdown was also extended to properties of Bayelsa State which were located in Rivers. He demolished the properties in what appears to be a reaction to the refusal of the Bayelsa Governor, Duoye Diri, to support his presidential quest. Recall that Wike contested for the ticket of the PDP during the party’s primaries.
Reacting to the appointment of Wike as FCT Minister, a former spokesman for the PDP’s presidential campaign council, Daniel Bwala, said: “If you made him FCT minister so he can revoke titles and demolish structures of political opponents, then note that it will be an unnecessary drama that will incur court judgment liabilities on this administration.”
On Twitter, netizens have also been reacting.
@Maxwell32664121 said: “Wike as FCT Minister! Which place Atiku house dey ?? Na DEMOLITION things o”
@Mngu_nenge said: “Wike as FCT minister go help Abuja sha. Street light and flyover everywhere. Demolition will be plenty also ooo.”
@AtetanT said: “With Nyesom Wike As FCT Minister, Hope ‘Wadata Plaza’ Won’t Be Marked For Demolition?”
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