Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, declared that President Bola Tinubu is firmly in control of his administration and that no cabal operates within his government.
While delivering the keynote lecture at the 2025 OAU Distinguished Personality Lecture in Ile Ife, Osun State, Wike emphasized President Tinubu’s leadership.
“President Tinubu is fully in charge; there is no cabal under his watch,” Wike stated.
Referencing Chinua Achebe’s book “The Trouble with Nigeria”, Wike affirmed the author’s assertion that Nigeria’s core problem lies in a lack of genuine leadership.
“This assertion, though harsh, holds true,” he said. “Our leaders have often emerged through self-serving conspiracies that ignore national interest and development—this pattern has persisted in both military and civilian regimes.”
However, Wike asserted that Tinubu has proven himself to be the kind of leader Nigeria needs to achieve growth and prosperity.
“At this point in our country’s history, we have found such a leader in Tinubu,” he said. “He has repeatedly demonstrated his commitment to democracy, even risking his life to defend it.”
Wike also credited Tinubu with Lagos State’s rapid and significant development, noting that his leadership had lasting impact even beyond his tenure.
Acknowledging Nigeria’s underwhelming performance over the past six decades and the worsening national fault lines, Wike stressed that the ideal leader must empower citizens, protect their freedoms, and foster an environment where free enterprise can thrive.
He concluded by expressing hope that Nigeria could still achieve greatness if it adopts the right governance structures.
Dignitaries at the event included the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi (Royal Father of the Day), Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, and former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Samuel Ortom (Benue).
