Veteran journalist and former presidential spokesperson, Reuben Abati, has sounded a strong warning to President Bola Tinubu regarding the conduct of the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike. Abati cautioned that Wike’s recent public attacks on former allies suggest that Wike could target Tinubu next.
THE NATION DIGEST News reports that Abati made the remarks during Tuesday’s edition of The Morning Show, a popular breakfast programme on Arise Television, where he serves as co-host. He expressed concern over Wike’s growing pattern of disrespect toward political mentors who were instrumental to his rise in Nigerian politics.
“Wike is becoming increasingly disrespectful and rude to people who helped shape his political career,” Abati said. “That kind of behaviour points to a serious character flaw.”
The former presidential aide’s comments followed Wike’s Monday media chat, in which the FCT Minister dismissed recent concerns about hunger raised by his predecessor, former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. Wike argued that Amaechi, having spent over 20 years in politics, couldn’t possibly know real hunger. Abati was quick to condemn Wike’s remarks, saying they were careless and showed a lack of gratitude.
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“Rotimi Amaechi is the one who helped Wike become local government chairman during his second term as Rivers State governor,” Abati noted. “Amaechi later made him chief of staff and even recommended him for a ministerial post. Yet today, Wike talks about him without any respect.”
Abati stressed that Wike’s behaviour reveals a consistent tendency to turn against his benefactors.
“This is the same pattern we saw with Dr Peter Odili,” Abati said. “Peter Odili, another former governor of Rivers, once supported Wike’s rise, even introducing him to Dr Patience Jonathan to boost his chances of becoming governor. But later, Wike publicly said Odili was not worthy of being called an elder. He insulted both Dr Odili and his wife. So we must ask — who will Wike not insult?”
Abati recalled that Wike had even referred to elder statesman Chief Olabode George as a “ground rent debtor,” highlighting what he called Wike’s growing list of personal attacks on senior political figures.
The most alarming part of Wike’s recent interview, according to Abati, was his subtle jab at President Tinubu. Wike suggested he would have advised differently if he had known in advance about Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State.
“That statement is a red flag,” Abati said. “Wike is already showing signs of disloyalty. If President Tinubu isn’t careful, he might soon find himself on the receiving end of Wike’s insults. Wike could target Tinubu next, just like he did with Amaechi and Odili.”
Abati concluded his remarks by urging Tinubu to stay alert.
“This is a man who always prioritises his own interests,” Abati said. “Today he may praise you, tomorrow he will insult you. President Tinubu should beware — Wike could target Tinubu next.”
The growing concern over Wike’s attitude adds a new layer of tension within the Nigerian political scene, particularly as President Tinubu navigates internal conflicts within his party and across the broader political spectrum.
