From Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah
Yesterday evening, as Nigerians were settling down, the much-anticipated breaking news was announced: Tinubu had unveiled the cabinet portfolios. This announcement elicited a wide range of opinions; while some praised the entire list, others clearly disapproved.
Irrespective of your stance, there’s no denying that one name stood out on the entire list: Nyesom Wike. His name dominated all the headlines, solidifying the fact that the PDP leader and former Governor of Rivers State is indeed the standout figure in the lineup.
This situation mirrors the spotlight that was on Rotimi Amaechi when his Senate clearance caught everyone’s attention during President Buhari’s initial term as a democratically elected president back in 2015.
To be direct, there’s no denying that Wike ranks among the top five governors over the past four years. His achievements stand tall, comparable to the successes of Borno State’s Prof Zulum and Ebonyi State’s Dave Umahi. While Wike is unquestionably a man of accomplishments, what sets him apart from the other two is his dramatic nature, which ensures he commands attention wherever he goes.
Being a loud and effective governor has many benefits, such as increased visibility, effective communication, citizen engagement, accountability, crisis management, policy implementation, luring investments, inspiring, boosting morale, political support, national influence, and legacy building.
However, a balance between being vocal and achieving tangible results is essential for successful governance.
Hence, the core matter at hand revolves around the response of Nigerians, who are speculating whether Wike intends to relocate his political musical band to Abuja. It’s worth noting that Wike possesses the country’s premier political musical group, and the renowned track “As E Dey Pain Dem E Dey Sweet Us,” which Timaya promptly copyrighted and turned into a resounding hit, is under the ownership of Wike’s band leader.
Moving beyond the amusement, Nigerians have called upon the Government to initiate action now that the ministers have been assigned their respective roles. It’s important to recognize that ministerial positions typically consist of a mix of political appointees and technical experts.
Hence, Wike’s entry into the ministry is positively received, and the selection of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as his domain appears to be a wise decision.
To be completely fair, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has witnessed a decline in its former splendor. I can recall Wike advocating last year for El Rufai’s involvement in the FCT, emphasizing the necessity of restoring the capital to its past grandeur by adhering strictly to the city’s original design.
Wike is anticipated to undertake not only the revitalization of the capital, elevating its prestige, but also to venture into establishing additional urban centers within the FCT.
With these considerations in mind, we’re eager to hear your opinions on Wike’s portfolio. How do you perceive his role and potential impact?
Osigwe Omo-Ikirodah is the Chairman and CEO of Bush Radio Academy.
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