The 2027 Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has said he would put sellotape over the mouth of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, if he appointed him to his administration.
Adebayo stated this during an interview with Symfoni TV while discussing governance, the performance of the Tinubu administration and recent political developments, including the Osun State election.
The SDP candidate praised Wike’s work ethic and contribution to infrastructure development in the FCT but criticised his style of public communication and what he described as the glorification of force and state power.
Adebayo said Wike was a hardworking politician, adding that previous FCT ministers had achieved far less than the current minister.
He argued that Nigeria would have better infrastructure if commissioners of works across the states could match Wike’s level of output.
Adebayo acknowledged concerns that some contracts awarded under Wike might be inflated and that value for money could be lacking, but maintained that visible infrastructure projects were being executed.
He added that the projects had made travelling easier and improved daily life for residents.
Despite his praise for Wike’s work ethic, Adebayo described the FCT minister as a bad example for Nigerian politics because of his approach to the use of force and state power.
The SDP presidential candidate said he would therefore restrain Wike’s public communication if he appointed him to his administration, using the sellotape remark to illustrate his position.