After Tinubu, Wike is the most prominent politician in Nigeria today - Fmr Presidential Spokesperson

President Bola Tinubu and Nyesom Wike

Laolu Akande, a former presidential spokesperson believes former Rivers State Governor and current Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike is the second most prominent politician in Nigeria after President Bola Tinubu.

Akande, who is now a Channels Television Political Analyst made this known in an interview on Thursday, December 14 expressed his disappointment at the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike for not managing the crisis in the state.

Akande, who was the spokesman to former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo,
hailed Wike for his influence but regretted that the former Rivers Governor has failed to carry himself the way expected.

The political crisis rocking Rivers State took a new turn this week with the demolition of the State House of Assembly Complex and the defection of 27 members of the assembly loyal to Wike, to the All Progressives Congress, APC.

This is despite the attempt by President Bola Tinubu to broker 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.

The most obvious poin to make out of what is happened in Rivers State is that it is very disappointing. Now look, alot of people had significant admiration and respect for the FCT Minister. You can tell just easily that Wike was the kind of guy that gets things done and he got a reputation and he was called Mr Project. And you know there is a kind of political regard you have to give Gov Wike. Quiet frankly, after the persident, Nyesom Wike is the most prominent politician of the day.