- Safiu Kehinde
Publisher of Ovation Magazine, Aare Dele Momodu has said that with the way the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has carried on in his assignments, most Nigerians had come to the conclusion that there are two presidents on seat.
Momodu however hailed President Bola Tinubu’s intervention which according to the media entrepreneur corrected the impression that the country is ruled by two Presidents- Wike and Tinubu.
The publisher stated this in reaction to the takeover of the several landed properties by the Wike-led Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA).
NPO Reported that the FCTA officials had under Wike’s directive sealed over 4,500 properties across the capital city over unpaid ground rents.
Notable among the sealed properties was the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) National Headquarters which the FCTA claimed to be owing ground rents since the past 28 years.
Other noteworthy establishment affected include the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), which had two of its offices shut down, and a branch of Access Bank.
The sealing of the properties had however sparked mixed reactions, leading to Tinubu’s intervention.
The FCTA would on account of the President intervention give all the defaulters a 14-day ultimatum to settle their outstanding debts.
Reacting to the President’s involvement, Momodu in a post on his Instagram page lauded Tinubu for checkmating what he considered as Wike’s excesses.
“The decision to stop Wike today achieved several points in your favor.
“We used to think we have two Presidents in Nigeria, TINUBU and WIKE. Now, we know WIKE has a Boss who can checkmate his excesses.” He wrote.
While acknowledging the consequences of non-compliance to government’s obligations, Momodu maintained that the government must still restrain itself from vindictive outbursts as he further hailed Tinubu.
“I have just read the news here in America that you have stepped into the matter of your cantankerous Minister of FCT, MR NYESOM WIKE who sealed the National Secretariat of the PDP, the biggest rival of your ruling party, APC, and properties of other defaulters in Abuja earlier today.
“While no one should condone non-compliance of government obligations, government must always restrain itself from vindictive outbursts such as that of Nigeria’s most querulous politician who I’m sure is fast becoming a liability to your government.” He wrote.
Momodu further accused Wike of orchestrating the emergency rule in Rivers State on account of his alleged disruption and distraction of the Siminalayi Fubara-government.
“How I wished you had stopped his reckless disruption and distraction of the SIM FUBARA government in Rivers State and saved the hapless people from this unfortunate contraption called emergency rule.
“Nigerians are currently going through so much hardship and pain and you need to rescue them from WIKE’s additional burden and insults.” Momodu stated.
Comparing Wike with the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, Momodu claimed Umahi had more responsibility on his hands than the FCT Minister but remained humble unlike the former Rivers state governor.
“WIKE’s assignments are far smaller than that of Minister DAVE UMAHI, yet the man is so humble while WIKE subjects Nigerians to his tautological press conferences as if he’s running his own Federal government and not under anyone’s control.
“Sir, there can’t be two Captains in one ship and I hope WIKE got that message loud and clear from your powerful intervention today.” He added.