Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike has reportedly left his ministerial duties unattended in Abuja for at least two weeks while touring local government areas (LGAs) across Rivers State, citing the visits as “thank-you” trips, though critics say they are politically motivated ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of Friday, PREMIUM TIMES counted at least 20 LGAs visited by Mr Wike since late December 2025, where he reportedly promoted President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and criticised Governor Siminal Fubara, even as the Rivers House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against the governor and his deputy.
His absence has drawn sharp criticism from human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong, who said, “It saddens me that campaigns have not commenced, but you have the former governor (Wike) now going local government by local government basically campaigning ahead of next year 2027,” and from political figures urging him to resign to focus on his FCT responsibilities.
Meanwhile, workers under the FCT Administration have issued a seven-day ultimatum over unresolved welfare and labour issues, including unpaid arrears and staff harassment, warning of a strike if demands are not met.
The union said it had copied top officials, including Mr Wike, hoping for action on grievances that include the non-release of approved overhead costs for six months, unpaid wage awards, and restrictions on staff use of phones.
Responding to concerns, Mr Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, defended the minister, stating, “If the minister is in Port Harcourt, does that mean he is not treating files? Is it not government files that can be treated anywhere? He is doing his job,” insisting that the visits were “thank-you visits, not campaigns,” despite rising insecurity in the FCT, including the recent killings of a nurse and a lawyer.