Wike: No Leader Holds Power Forever — Everyone Has their Turn

Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says no leader holds power forever, and everyone will have their turn to serve.

Wike spoke during his “thank you” visit to Port Harcourt LGA of Rivers, where he addressed party leaders, traditional rulers, women, and youths from the council.

The minister has been touring the 23 LGAs of the state to appreciate residents for their support in the 2023 elections and to canvass continued backing for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 polls.

The FCT minister reflected on leadership, warning that authority is temporary and that God does not allow anyone to rule indefinitely.

“We should know that today I am a leader; tomorrow it will be your turn too. No one man can be a leader forever,” Wike 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 FCT minister also spoke on the principle of succession, saying leaders must respect that others will follow in their footsteps.

“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,” Wike said.

He urged political actors to understand that leadership is temporary and to respect others who will eventually assume positions of authority.

“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.”

He also claimed that Rivers is unique in its ability to rally leaders of the two major political parties to work as a team, a strategy he said helped in producing the president.

Wike’s remarks come as the Rivers house of assembly continues impeachment proceedings against Siminalayi Fubara, the state governor, over his failure to present the 2026 budget and alleged mismanagement of public funds.

Most of the Rivers assembly members are considered loyal to Wike, who has repeatedly criticised Fubara for abandoning a peace agreement signed before Tinubu lifted the emergency rule in the state.