FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has reportedly been absent from his official duties in Abuja for over two weeks, dedicating his time to a tour of local government areas in Rivers State.
While Wike characterizes these visits as a “thank-you” tour, his speeches have centered heavily on the 2027 general elections, urging support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election and criticizing Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Since December 26, 2025, Wike has visited at least 20 of the 23 local government areas in Rivers State.
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These visits often coincided with major political developments, such as his trip to Bonny LGA occurring just an hour after the Rivers House of Assembly initiated impeachment proceedings against Fubara and Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu.
As Wike focuses on Rivers, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) faces growing internal pressure.
The Joint Union Action Congress (JUAC) issued a seven-day strike ultimatum starting January 7, 2026, citing several grievances:
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Non-release of overhead costs for the latter half of 2025.
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Five months of unpaid wage award arrears.
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Alleged staff intimidation and restrictions on phone usage at the FCT Geographic Information System (GIS).
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Unpaid wages for street sweepers and enforcement officers under the Abuja Environmental Protection Board.
The union stated, “Our members can no longer endure the continued denial of their legitimate entitlements,” warning that the refusal to uphold financial autonomy has “undermined effective administration in the FCT.”
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Critics have been vocal about the Minister’s absence. Human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong expressed disappointment, stating:“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.”
Effiong also highlighted a rise in insecurity within the FCT, noting the brutal killings of a nurse and a lawyer while the Minister was away.
Similarly, Paul Ibe, spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, remarked:“It is obvious that Nyesom Wike has abandoned his job as FCT minister in preference for 001 of both APC and PDP in Rivers.”
Read Also: APC Leaders, Tinubu/Shettima Group Storm National Secretariat, Demand Wike’s Removal As FCT Minister
Additionally, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru suggested Wike should resign to focus solely on his political interests in Rivers.
In response to these allegations, Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, argued that physical presence in Abuja is unnecessary in the “digital age.”
He maintained that:“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.”
Olayinka further insisted that the visits are “thank-you visits, not campaigns,” and noted that while the recent killings in Abuja were tragic, the overall rate of such incidents has decreased during Wike’s tenure.
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