Nigerians are notoriously forgetful and emotional when it comes to issues of governance and development, often neglecting to consider administrative precedents. Before becoming the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Nwike had a stellar administrative profile, proving himself to be an outstanding administrator who insisted on doing things right. As a man of integrity, he is a man of initiatives who explores meritocratic delivery in his official capacity, supervising instructive directives to implement and achieve results for public interest.
Throughout his tenure in various positions, including local government chairmanship, Chief of Staff to a former Rivers State governor, minister of state for education, under Jonathan’s government and governor of Rivers State, Nwike has never been known to be confrontational or aggressive towards individuals or corporate organizations that follow the right and orderly process. His reactions are often in response to failures and inappropriate delivery, which he strictly and meticulously expects full adherence.
Unfortunately, in Nigeria, only weaklings who are insensitive and uncaring in discharging their responsibilities are often seen as friendly and are called kind and good officials. Meanwhile, politicians with their betrayal and pull-down syndrome, opposition within and outside his official circle, had previously charged against his political future. Despite these challenges, Nwike aligned himself with those who shared his vision, which culminated in the emergence of G5 group of governors.
During the 2023 presidential election, Nwike expressed his intention to run, but his party, PDP, stabbed the presidential candidates from the South, making it an open contest for all zones. Nwike contested but did not win due to a major upset steered by his trusted political ally and friend, a former governor of Sokoto State and Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives. It was a bitter experience. In turn he hit PDP back by executing what they thought him.
As FCT Minister, Nwike has focused on infrastructure development, achieving his road development agenda that cut across rural, urban, and metropolitan areas of the FCT. These plural development initiatives earned him the pseudonym of “Mr. Project,” despite efforts by his detractors to tarnish his reputation.
Nwike’s approach to governance, his presumed temperament, and the potential reactions emanate from pressure from politicians, land developers who shortcut the public with fake land documents, elements of opposition, and elites, who conspire against him due to their hatred of his political rise and leadership style popularity. However, the honorable minister of FCT is naturally a very amiable and jovial personality when one is close to him. He is very friendly, he is like a coconut, whose outer shell may be tough and rough, but once opened, the inner tissue, known biologically as endoplasm is soft, sweet, with good savour with sweet water to quench taste. Nwike is friendly, when you approach him rightly. He is approachable and has a listening ear. His tough stands are political and not in the line of discharging of his administrative duty. He is not as hard as painted in the online Media. It’s however good that he built that lion aura around him, to ward off political miscreants around him before they swallow him up because he is highly vulnerable due to the vicious reactions of his destractors.
It is essential to understand Nwike’s actions and decisions in the context of his commitment to public interest and administrative ease. His Predecessor from Obasanjo era to Buhari’s government were entangled in their efforts to contain bridges related to allocations of land and illegal structure development spear headed by developers. His job as Minister of FCT includes supervision and he is by law empowered by act establishing FCT, on the supervisory engagement. Though the incident with the naval personel was unfortunate but it was his right in the discharge line of his official duty to physically engage in supervision.
His insistence on meritocratic delivery and adherence to orders is not a sign of aggression but rather a demonstration of his dedication to duty and achieving results. As a leader, he expects the same level of commitment and professionalism from his team.
Indeed, for the purpose of public interest Nwike’s actions should be seen as a reflection of his commitment to public service and his desire to bring about positive beneficial development progress in line with the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Rather than branding him as confrontational or aggressive, we should appreciate his efforts to bring development and order to the FCT. As a nation, we should learn to appreciate leaders who are willing to take tough decisions and stand by their principles, even in the face of opposition.
I urge Nigerians to see Nwike from a different perspective, as a humane and human being who is dedicated to serving the public interest. His actions may be misinterpreted, but his intentions are pure, and his commitment to development is unwavering. As we move forward, it is essential to understand and appreciate leaders like Nwike, who are willing to stand up for what is right, but not going against the rule of law.
With reference to his administrative precedence.
Before Nyesom Nwike was appointed the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, he has a worthy administrative profile during which he proved his mettle as an outstanding administrator, and excellent project initiator who insististed on doing things right, and he ensured they are executed rightly. He is a man of integrity who explores meritocratic delivery in his official capacity while supervising instructive directives for purpose of achieving results. His being confrontational or aggressive to individuals or corporate organisations, is a subjective imputation raved up to subdue him but they failed. Yes, he is assumed to be high handed, radical, but he is one man with definition, precision focused known to follow the right and orderly process in handling aný responsibility assigned to an individual or any corporate groups. His reactions as analysis show are on failures and inappropriate delivery on ďischarge of responsibility. On the other hand Nwike abhors disobedience to orders issued ìnrespect of straighting up issues for public interest and admistrative ease.
Therefore, Nigerians should see Nwike from another point of view as being human. Macbeth a character in the the literature book titled Macbeth, he said ” they have pushed me to the wall and bear like , I must fight the course “. He is a man who stands on the truth and to handle Nigeria, some of the stiff necks within require toughness.
Nonetheless, it is an acknowledged fact that he should cool down to enjoy his political aspiration and handle his fellow politicians and Nigerians from other works of life with wisdom.
