Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has launched a scathing attack on political actors, accusing them of fueling crises through what he described as a dangerous culture of impunity and disregard for the rule of law.
Speaking during a media live chat on April 4, 2026, Wike said Nigeria’s democracy is being undermined not by institutions, but by politicians who habitually flout legal processes and then shift blame to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the judiciary.
“You cannot disobey court orders, violate party constitutions and still turn around to accuse INEC or the judiciary,” Wike said. “The problem is not the institutions — it is the refusal by individuals to play by the rules.”
In a no-holds-barred critique, the former Rivers State governor warned that persistent abuse of legal frameworks by political players poses a direct threat to democratic stability, stressing that accountability must begin within the parties themselves.
He particularly faulted attempts to politicise ongoing legal disputes, noting that many of the cases being sensationalised are straightforward issues of compliance with court directives.
“If there was no adverse ruling against you, why rush to appeal or seek a stay of execution? These actions clearly show there are decisions you don’t want to obey,” he argued.
Wike also dismissed allegations that certain institutions are being manipulated against opposition parties, insisting that facts on ground often reveal internal contradictions and leadership failures.
“Before you blame INEC or the ruling party, ask yourself — have you followed your own constitution? Have you obeyed court orders?” he queried.
On party politics, Wike stressed that participation in conventions and decision-making processes must be strictly based on legality and due recognition, warning against attempts to bypass established procedures.
He further took aim at what he described as “political opportunism,” where individuals declare lofty ambitions without the structure or credibility required to win elections.
“Politics is not about noise or mere declaration. It is about capacity, structure and the ability to win. Nigerians are tired of empty ambitions,” he said.
Reaffirming his stance on democratic order, Wike called on political leaders to embrace discipline, internal democracy and respect for institutions, warning that continued lawlessness could erode public confidence in the system.
“Our democracy will only survive when people learn to obey the law, not manipulate it,” he declared.
