The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said no leader remains in power forever, stressing that everyone will have an opportunity to serve in their own time.
Wike made the remarks during a thank-you visit to the Port Harcourt Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he addressed party leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youths from the council.
The former Rivers State governor has been touring the state’s 23 local government areas to thank residents for their support during the 2023 elections and to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.
Reflecting on leadership and power, Wike warned against the illusion of authority’s permanence, noting that leadership is temporary.
He said, “We should know that today I am a leader; tomorrow it will be your turn too. No one man can be a leader forever,” he said.
“It is not possible. God has never allowed that. So, everyone is saying Wike is our leader. As it is today, yes, but it can never be forever.”
The minister also spoke on succession, urging leaders to recognise that others would eventually take over from them.
Wike said, “Man comes, man goes. When I said ‘man comes, man goes,’ people feared; as they are here now, they are afraid.
“What I mean by ‘man comes, man goes’ is that everybody has their own turn. When your time has come, you do whatever you can to the satisfaction of the people and according to the will of God.”
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He added that understanding the temporary nature of leadership would encourage mutual respect and tolerance among political actors.
Wike further stated, “So, when you understand that a leader’s time will come, somebody will respect you too, and you should agree with all of them, don’t be looking for excuses because no one is perfect.
“A bad leader is one who is advised but remains reluctant to change. But a good leader is one who listens to his people.”
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Wike also claimed that Rivers State is unique in its ability to bring leaders of the two major political parties together to work as a team, a strategy he said contributed to the emergence of President Tinubu.
His comments come amid heightened political tension in the state, as the Rivers State House of Assembly continues impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara over his alleged failure to present the 2026 budget and claims of financial mismanagement.
Most members of the Assembly are considered loyal to Wike, who has repeatedly criticised Fubara for allegedly abandoning a peace agreement reached before President Tinubu lifted the emergency rule earlier imposed on the state.