Reports from multiple sources suggest that the once-strong alliance between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has fractured into a cold war of power, suspicion, and betrayal.
According to findings by Sahara Reporters, Wike had pushed aggressively for Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, to be appointed as the new INEC Chairman. Wike reportedly secured security clearances for Liman from several agencies and was confident that President Tinubu would endorse his nomination.
However, amid growing skepticism within the Presidency, Liman’s candidacy was quietly dropped. This decision reportedly shocked Wike, given his long-standing relationship with the judge. In 2016, during a controversial operation by the Department of State Services (DSS), Wike personally intervened to stop security agents from raiding the residence of a judge — widely believed to be Justice Liman. Wike later justified his action, insisting he was defending judicial independence against what he called “a midnight assault on the rule of law.”
(Sources: Premium Times, The Guardian, Sahara Reporters)
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With Liman’s name struck off the list, Tinubu instead approved the appointment of Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) — a seasoned legal scholar from the University of Jos, known for his academic works in corporate governance, evidence law, and privatization. The appointment was confirmed by the Council of State, reportedly at Tinubu’s insistence.
Insiders revealed that Tinubu described Wike as “too unstable and untrustworthy” to influence a sensitive national institution like INEC.
A Cold War Over Media Control
The rift did not stop at the INEC appointment. Following the reinstatement of Governor Sim Fubara in Rivers State — an outcome viewed by some as a blow to Wike’s control — Tinubu allegedly ordered the FCT Minister to suspend his fiery monthly press briefings. The President reportedly argued that Wike’s combative tone was “hurting the administration’s image.”
Angered by the directive, Wike appealed to the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, warning that silencing him would “make Sowore too powerful.” This reference to Omoyele Sowore, whose exposés have increasingly embarrassed the political elite, underscored how much Wike felt cornered within the system.
(Source: Sahara Reporters)
The Asset Declaration Drama
In a further twist, Wike allegedly approached the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to amend his asset declaration, seeking to include recently exposed properties in Florida and other foreign locations. But CCB officials reportedly informed him that his original declaration had already been forwarded to the EFCC for verification — a move that left him politically vulnerable and unsettled.
(Source: Sahara Reporters)
A Boycott with a Message
The growing tension reached its peak at the Council of State meeting held last Thursday. Many former Heads of State — including Generals Abdulsalami Abubakar and Yakubu Gowon — conspicuously stayed away. Presidency insiders allege that Wike may have quietly influenced the boycott as a show of displeasure over Tinubu’s decision to sideline his preferred INEC candidate.
Interestingly, the INEC appointment was not initially listed on the meeting’s agenda. Tinubu reportedly surprised attendees by asking Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Ododo, to present Amupitan for confirmation. Caught off guard, the Council had no option but to approve the nomination.
(Source: Sahara Reporters)
From Alliance to Cold War
What began as a strategic partnership between Tinubu and Wike — one forged on political convenience — has now devolved into a battle of egos, secrecy, and mistrust. Their alliance, once hailed as an example of political pragmatism across party lines, now hangs by a thread.
Analysts believe that the coming months will determine whether Wike remains a powerful player within Tinubu’s circle — or becomes yet another casualty of Nigeria’s unforgiving political chessboard.
