Nyesom Wike the el-terrible of Nigerian politics, By Sunday Adelaja

While Wike remains a formidable kingmaker, his aggressive manoeuvring has caused a massive pushback. Many APC governors have labelled him “politically toxic” or a “liability”, and have actively petitioned President Tinubu to make a choice between his loyal party members and Wike, arguing that the FCT Minister is acting like an autonomous warlord who threatens the stability of the entire political system.

Even though I am not a politician, I am a very keen political observer and analyst. I love my country of origin to a fault. Hence despite my 40 years sojourn in Europe I am deeply fascinated by all that’s going on in Nigeria.

I woke up this morning with a desire to write a few lines about the new political phenomenon in Nigerian politics called NYESOM WIKE.

In this article I am fondly referring to him as the El Terrible of Nigerian politics. Before his attack dogs come for me, I will like to say I don’t mean to use this phrase as something negative but rather as a person who is feared by the political elites of our country.

Politicians in Nigeria fear and clash with Nyesom Wike because of his intense political leverage, massive financial influence, use of strategic ambiguity, and aggressive power-brokering. As the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, Wike operates as a unique political wildcard who wields federal authority while refusing to fully commit to any single party.

Political analysts and media reports point to several specific reasons why other politicians and governors are wary of him:

1. Wike as El-Terrible to the APC Governors

Wike has spear-headed a cross-party alliance known as the Rainbow Coalition, which has deeply unsettled state governors, particularly within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Challenging Local Control: APC governors fear Wike is using this coalition to sponsor alternative candidates for the Senate and federal legislature in their home states for the 2027 elections.

Upsetting Power Dynamics: High-ranking politicians, like Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, are reportedly afraid that Wike’s coalition will block their future ambitions, such as vying for the Senate Presidency, by installing loyalists who refuse to support them.

2. Wike as El-Terrible to Atiku and his ADC loyalists

Wike maintains a highly unconventional political position: he remains a registered member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) while serving in an APC presidential cabinet and actively working for the reelection machinery of President Bola Tinubu.

Opposition figures like Atiku, Makinde, and other PDP factions accuse Wike of remaining in the party strictly to sabotage and hollow it out from within, making it impossible for a strong united opposition to challenge the ruling government.

Because he straddles both worlds, politicians on both sides do not know where his ultimate loyalty lies, thereby creating immense friction and distrust.

3. Wike is feared for Holding the “Political Receipts”

In Nigeria, Wike is feared because he openly keeps track of political favours and financial backings, frequently exposing alliances when it suits him. In Nigerian politics, where cross-party alignments are common, Wike is known to publicly call out politicians who requested his help in the past, effectively destroying political reputations by bringing private handshakes into the open.

4. Ruthless Governing Style and Institutional Influence

Critics and local politicians point to Wike’s aggressive tactics as a primary source of fear.

In Rivers State and the FCT, he has been accused of using intimidation, threatening to unseat elected officials who cross him (such as FCT Senator Ireti Kingibe), and using his immense resources to compromise opposition structures.

Some local commentators have noted that peers prefer to stay quiet or give way, rather than engage in direct, public warfare with him.

Wike The El-Terrible

While Wike remains a formidable kingmaker, his aggressive manoeuvring has caused a massive pushback. Many APC governors have labelled him “politically toxic” or a “liability”, and have actively petitioned President Tinubu to make a choice between his loyal party members and Wike, arguing that the FCT Minister is acting like an autonomous warlord who threatens the stability of the entire political system.

In my opinion, Wike is the next political genius of Nigerian politics after the genius of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. No doubt that many regard Wike’s as an evil genius; I will say it is a genius nevertheless. Like him or hate him this man is about to teach his fellow politicians the art of pragmatic political thinking.

As a matter of fact, my advice to all those politicians who are afraid of Wike is that they ought to go study the man. Rather than make enemies it’s better to build alliances with him and learn from his political dexterity. The man Wike, the El Terrible is a man for the future.

In my next article I’ll be exploring the comparison between the two political phenomena of Wike and Peter Obi. The lessons and the opportunities for both gladiators and for the Nigerian nation.

For the love of God, Church and nation.

Sunday Adelaja is a Nigerian born leader, transformation strategist, pastor and innovator. He was based in Ukraine