Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Tinubu is the only person who can question him over his political activities, as he defended his role in the Rainbow Coalition and dismissed criticism from governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Wike made the remarks on Tuesday night during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time, where he responded to opposition from the Progressive Governors Forum to the coalition.
The former Rivers State governor accused some APC governors of focusing on politics in Abuja instead of building support in their states.
According to him, true leadership means staying close to the people and resolving political differences at home rather than blaming others for electoral challenges.
“The only person that can question me is the President,” Wike said.
He argued that politics is local and said leaders who understand their people can mobilise support regardless of whether they hold executive office.
“I can convince my people even though I am not the governor,” he said.
Wike also criticised what he described as a lack of leadership among some politicians.
According to him, many spend most of their time in Abuja and pay little attention to the people they represent.
“People just sit down in Abuja for two months, go home, spend two days and come back to Abuja. That’s not service to the nation at all. That’s not service to the state,” he said.
He said leadership requires convincing people to work together for the benefit of the state rather than pursuing personal interests.
The FCT minister’s comments came in response to criticism from the Progressive Governors Forum, led by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, which had opposed any alliance it believed could undermine President Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.