Former presidential aide, Laolu Akande, expressed disappointment in the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike.
Akande, formerly the spokesman for ex-Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, questioned why Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, struggles to manage his preferred successor as governor.
While acknowledging Wike’s current standing as the second most influential politician in Nigeria, Laolu regretted that the former Rivers Governor hasn’t conducted himself in the expected manner.
Recent developments in Rivers State, including the demolition of the State House of Assembly Complex and the defection of 27 assembly members loyal to Wike to the All Progressives Congress (APC), have intensified the political crisis.
Notably, these events unfolded despite President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to mediate and foster peace between Wike and his godson, Governor Fubara.
“What is happening in Rivers State is very disappointing. Look, a lot of people had deep respect for the FCT Minister …you can easily see that Wike was the kind of guy that got it done and he got the reputation,” Akande said on Channels Television.
“He was called Mr. Project and all that. There’s quite a bit of political regard that you’ve to give to Wike. I think in this country today, after the President, Nyesom Wike is the most prominent politician.
“So, when somebody has attained that level of political relevance, it means you really have to carry yourself with a lot of grace, with a lot of measured management of the expectations around you.
“It is disappointing that the FCT Minister is not managing his own anointed governor and the responsibility is more on him than the governor. Wike is the senior partner in this matter and it is not good for him,” he added.
