Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has said he would consider appointing Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike to his government but would have to “put a little tape” over his mouth to control his public utterances.
Adebayo made the remark during an interview with Symfoni.
He was assessing the performance of the Bola Tinubu administration and discussing recent political developments across the country.
Although critical of Wike’s approach to politics and his frequent public comments, the SDP candidate acknowledged the minister’s strong work ethic and credited him with making a visible impact on infrastructure in Abuja.
“I respect Wike for one thing: that he has a good work ethic. He can work,” Adebayo said.
He argued that the FCT had witnessed more visible infrastructure activity under Wike than under some previous ministers, saying other commissioners and public officials could learn from the minister’s willingness to work.
Adebayo, however, said questions could still be raised about the cost of some of the projects being executed under Wike and whether Nigerians were getting sufficient value for the money spent.
Despite those concerns, he said the minister’s projects were having a practical effect on residents of Abuja, including himself.
As an FCT resident, Adebayo said movement around the capital had become easier because of the infrastructure projects being delivered by the administration.
The SDP candidate said Wike’s major weakness was not his ability to work but his manner of engaging in public affairs.
He described the minister as a “bad example for Nigerian politics”, particularly because of what he considered an excessive emphasis on force, confrontation and the power of the state.
Adebayo said public office holders should understand that political power is temporary and should conduct themselves in a way that strengthens democratic institutions rather than encourages intimidation.
He also criticised the media for repeatedly giving Wike platforms to comment on matters outside his responsibilities as FCT minister.
According to Adebayo, journalists should concentrate on Wike’s official duties in Abuja rather than constantly seeking his views on political disputes.
He argued that some of the minister’s public appearances had reduced the dignity associated with his office, saying the media sometimes turns him into a “clown” by giving prominence to controversial statements.
Adebayo further advised Wike to restrict himself to his responsibilities in the FCT and, where necessary, communicate his political support for President Tinubu privately rather than through public confrontations.
He warned that Wike’s style could influence younger Nigerians who are watching political leaders and may come to believe that force, intimidation and aggressive language are acceptable parts of democratic politics.
“If I was in my own government, I can appoint Wike, but I’ll put a little tape in his mouth,” Adebayo stated.
The SDP candidate nevertheless maintained that Wike was currently the number one performing minister in the Tinubu administration, arguing that the minister had distinguished himself by showing up and ensuring that projects were executed.
Wike recently declared that Rivers State would support President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election rather than the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), on which former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi is the running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, Wike revived the political history between himself and Amaechi and argued that the former governor’s actions before the 2015 election should influence how Rivers voters approach the next presidential contest.
The FCT minister recalled Amaechi’s earlier argument that political brotherhood should be based on who stands with the people during difficult times rather than on blood relationships.
“In 2014, Amaechi defined who a brother is. Other speakers didn’t want to call his name. Well, I have the capacity to call his name all the time,” Wike said.
“Amaechi defined a brother as one who identifies with us in terms of problems. He said brotherhood is not blood relation. So, we are going to copy that definition for the 2027 presidential election.”
Wike then used that argument to explain why he believes Rivers people should support Tinubu rather than Amaechi and the ADC.
“Amaechi said Jonathan never cared for us and that Buhari was our brother because he would identify with us. If that’s the case, he now wants to run for Vice President,” he said.
Wike also questioned what Amaechi achieved for Rivers during his time as transportation minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“When he was minister, what did he do for us? Rather, he took the transportation university to Daura in Katsina State, thinking that it would make him president. Did they make him president?” Wike asked.
He contrasted that with what he described as Tinubu’s support for Rivers State, pointing to the appointment of Rivers indigenes as vice chancellors of the University of Port Harcourt and the newly established University of Environment.
“Now, Asiwaju has identified with us. Our sons are now Vice Chancellors of the University of Port Harcourt and the newly established University of Environment, which Amaechi denied us,” Wike said.
“That means Tinubu is our brother, and we have adopted him as our brother. So, we are going to follow Amaechi’s definition and vote President Tinubu over him and the ADC.”
Wike served as Amaechi’s Chief of Staff during the latter’s tenure as Rivers governor between 2007 and 2015 before succeeding him as governor in 2015. Amaechi later served as transportation minister under Buhari.
Wike has repeatedly questioned Amaechi’s ability to deliver Rivers State for the ADC ahead of 2027, including his performance during the 2015 presidential election.
In August, Wike argued that Amaechi could not secure 25 per cent of the presidential vote in Rivers for Buhari despite serving as governor and later as a federal minister.
“Chibuike Amaechi running as vice-presidential candidate is not a plus to Amaechi. He was governor and could not deliver for Buhari. He was a Grade A minister and still could not secure 25 per cent for Buhari in Rivers State,” Wike said.
He also attacked Amaechi over his role in the political events surrounding Jonathan’s defeat in 2015.
“He publicly said he was among those who removed Jonathan. He did not want a South-South president to complete his tenure. Given that history, it will be difficult to sell his candidature to Rivers people,” Wike added.
Amaechi, who initially contested the ADC presidential primary against Atiku, finished second before Atiku emerged as the party’s presidential candidate. The ADC later selected Amaechi as Atiku’s running mate after consultations with party leaders and coalition partners.
The former Rivers governor subsequently rejected the outcome of the primary, alleging that the process was not transparent. Despite the disagreement, the party proceeded with the Atiku-Amaechi ticket and submitted the candidates’ names to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).