Fayose sparks controversy as he vows FCT elections will be about Wike’s victory for APC

*Let Fayose, Wike be aware that “The tide has turned” – Lauretta Onochie 

By KEMI KASUMU

A keen observer of events as they have unfolded since inception of the administration in the last three years noted that, “If there is any question about those that dominate Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet, I would say they are largely Wike, Fayose and those from other Yoruba clan he has worked with as non-indigenous co-political power controllers in Lagos State and who, in line with the way of their master strategist, have no better achievement so far than playing politics lacking in benefit to national stability, interest and security..”

Mr. Ayodele Fayose, a former Governor of Ekiti State May have sparked controversy that will drag for long with his latest statement predicting that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will emerge victorious in the forthcoming Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council elections next month, attributing the anticipated outcome to the influence of the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

Ayodele Fayose made the assertion during an exclusive interview on ARISE News Channel’s breakfast show on Tuesday, where he argued that Wike’s political strength and performance in office would once again tilt the polls in favour of the APC, just as he claimed it happened during the recent local government elections in Rivers State.

“The local government elections in Rivers, APC won them courtesy of Wike. The local government elections coming in Abuja, APC will still win it,” Fayose said.

According to the former governor, Wike remains a dominant political figure whose relevance transcends party lines, stressing that Nigeria would continue to “need” him in the political space.

“Nigeria will know. We will not get rid of a Wike for a Fubara. He is 100 per cent a gift at this stage of his life,” Fayose remarked, in apparent reference to the political crisis in Rivers State involving the minister’s erstwhile political godson, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

He further argued that Wike’s political value would endure even after his tenure as FCT minister, describing him as someone who has “done well for himself” and would remain influential.

“Even when he is no more Minister of FCT, Wike is a man that has done well for himself in the political space. You will always need Wike,” Fayose said.

The former Ekiti governor also praised Wike’s performance in Abuja, noting that the minister has effectively aligned himself with President Bola Tinubu’s administration and its ‘Renewed Hope’ agenda.

“Today, you can’t take Wike from Rivers to give support to President Tinubu. Wike is in Abuja performing. We never had it so good in Abuja. Even a blind man can’t deny that,” he said.

Fayose added that it is historically difficult for ruling parties to win elections in the FCT, but maintained that with Wike’s presence that narrative could change in the upcoming FCT Area Council polls slated for February.

“A lot of people know that governments in power don’t often win in Abuja. But like I said, the local government elections in Rivers, APC won them courtesy of Wike. The local government elections coming in Abuja, APC will still win it,” he reiterated.

He concluded by questioning what more President Tinubu’s administration could demand from the former Rivers State governor, given what he described as Wike’s loyalty and performance.

“What else would the government of Tinubu want from Wike?” Fayose rhetorically asked.

The DEFENDER reports that although democracy should be about the people in the majority having their way through the ballot, Fayose’s statement portrays the current administration of Bola Tinubu in Nigeria as proof that the politicians in power in Abuja have no interest in letting the will of the people prevail.

A keen observer of events as they have unfolded since inception of the administration in the last three years noted that, “If there is any question about those that dominate Tinubu’s kitchen cabinet, I would say they are largely Wike, Fayose and those from other Yoruba clan he has worked with as non-indigenous co-political power controllers in Lagos State and who, in line with the way of their master strategist, have no better achievement so far than playing politics lacking in benefit to national stability, interest and security.”

Reacting to his utterances as reported, Lauretta Onochie, former presidential aide to late former President Muhammadu Buhari, reminded Fayose and Wike that the tide has already turned against them.

“So, Fayose is confirming that the FCT election will not be about the people of the FCT but about @GovWike’s survival.

“Well, Wike has no option but to do “anything” to win the FCT to please his new Godfather, @SimFubaraKSC’s party. He knows the consequences. The tide has turned.”