By Sahel Reporters, Abuja
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, says the Federal Government is battling what he describes as “a Wike problem” following the recent confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Friday, Sowunmi — a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar — said public perception and reactions show growing discomfort with the minister’s conduct.
“If you have listening tools, and I expect the government to have, listen to the radio, television, filter the internet, and observe public opinion. What you will find is that the government of Bola Tinubu has a Wike problem,” he said.
While acknowledging Wike’s energy and performance record, Sowunmi described him as “a mismanaged, excessively irritating and garrulous aide” whose frequent verbal outbursts risk damaging the administration’s reputation.
“The amount of invective you throw at people increases their tendency to dislike you and, by inference, begin to dislike your principal,” he added.
He criticised Wike’s handling of the face-off with a naval officer and said such confrontations were becoming characteristic of the minister.
“You are constantly in the media screaming, shouting, bellowing. In your ‘I’m bigger than everybody’ attitude, you put yourself in a situation where a junior ranking officer is forced to hold the line before you,” he said.
Sowunmi recalled advice he once received from former President Olusegun Obasanjo regarding military conduct in civilian rule: “The armed forces are well trained. They will not take orders from someone they see as not professionally able to give them.”
He warned that the public backlash, viral skits, and online commentary triggered by Wike’s outburst were embarrassing to the government.
Sahel Reporters News
