Abuja, Nigeria – The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has stirred nationwide debate with a bold declaration that Nigeria was already “dead” before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023.
Wike made the statement during a public engagement in Abuja over the weekend, where he defended the Tinubu administration against growing criticism over the nation’s economic challenges and security concerns.
“Nigeria didn’t die under Tinubu,” Wike said pointedly. “Let me tell you the truth — Nigeria was already dead before he took over. What this administration is doing is the difficult job of resurrecting a broken system that had already collapsed.”
The former Rivers State Governor, known for his fiery rhetoric and outspoken political stance, said President Tinubu inherited a deeply troubled economy, a fragmented security architecture, and widespread institutional decay. He praised the president’s economic reforms and policy initiatives as necessary “surgical procedures” to revive the country.
“You can't fix in one year what was destroyed over the course of a decade,” Wike said. “People must be patient. The rot in the system was deep — from unpaid debts to decaying infrastructure, insecurity, and a culture of impunity. This is a government of restoration.”
Wike’s remarks come amid mounting hardship faced by Nigerians due to inflation, rising fuel prices, high exchange rates, and lingering security threats. Critics have accused the Tinubu administration of worsening the economic situation through policies such as the removal of fuel subsidies and floating of the naira.
However, Wike argued that tough reforms were inevitable and must be seen as a long-term investment in national recovery.
“You can’t expect honey immediately after surgery,” he said. “It’s painful now, yes. But this pain is the path to healing.”
The comments have generated mixed reactions. Supporters of the Tinubu administration have applauded Wike’s candor and loyalty, saying he spoke the truth many politicians shy away from. On the other hand, opposition parties and civic voices have condemned the statement as “an insult to Nigerians” suffering under current economic realities.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Daniel Bwala described Wike’s statement as “disrespectful to the intelligence of Nigerians,” while social media platforms lit up with heated debates, with some Nigerians agreeing with Wike’s analysis and others accusing him of political grandstanding.
As the country grapples with economic recovery, insecurity, and rising public discontent, Wike’s comments are expected to fuel more conversations around the state of the nation and the performance of the Tinubu-led government.
Stay with News House for continuous updates on national politics and policy developments.
