Nyesom Wike | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Wike in 2014 | |
| Minister of the Federal Capital Territory | |
| Assumed office 21 August 2023 | |
| President | Bola Tinubu |
| Minister of State | Mariya Mahmoud Bunkure |
| Preceded by | Mohammed Musa Bello |
| 6th Governor of Rivers State | |
| In office 29 May 2015 – 29 May 2023 | |
| Deputy | Ipalibo Banigo |
| Preceded by | Rotimi Amaechi |
| Succeeded by | Siminalayi Fubara |
| Minister of Education | |
Acting | |
| In office 11 September 2013 – April 2014 | |
| President | Goodluck Jonathan |
| Preceded by | Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa'i |
| Succeeded by | Ibrahim Shekarau |
| Minister of State for Education | |
| In office 14 July 2011 – April 2014 | |
| President | Goodluck Jonathan |
| Minister | Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa'i |
| Succeeded by | Viola Onwuliri |
| Chief of Staff to the Governor of Rivers State | |
| In office 2007–2011 | |
| Governor | Rotimi Amaechi |
| Chairman of Obio-Akpor Local Government | |
| In office 1999–2007 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 13 December 1967 Obio-Akpor, Rivers State, Nigeria |
| Political party | Peoples Democratic Party |
| Spouse | Eberechi Wike |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Master of Arts degree in Political and Administrative Studies |
| Alma mater | Rivers State University of Science and Technology (LL.B.) |
| Occupation |
|
Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON (born 13 December 1967) is a Nigerian politician and lawyer who has served as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory since 2023.[1] He previously served as the governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023.
He is an Ikwerre man from Rumuepirikom in Obio-Akpor, Rivers State.[2] He is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party and was graduated from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology.
Wike was elected as a two-term Executive Chairman of Obio Akpor Local Government Area from 1999 to 2007.[3] He was appointed Minister of State for Education on 14 July 2011. Wike was later appointed the Acting Minister of Education, after Ruqayyah Ahmed Rufa'i was sacked but resigned before finishing his term to campaign for governor of Rivers State. He was replaced by Viola Onwuliri.[4] In 2014, he won the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party primaries and chose former Secretary to the State Government Ipalibo Banigo as his running mate for deputy governor.[5]
Wike defeated Dakuku Peterside of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Tonye Princewill of the Labour Party in the 11 April gubernatorial elections to emerge as governor.[6][7][8][9]
In March 2022, Wike declared that he will be running for the office of the president of Nigeria under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of the 2023 General election,[10] he was defeated by Atiku Abubakar who won the primaries with 371 votes while Wike got 237 votes being the first runner up, during the Peoples Democratic Party presidential election primary which was held at the MKO Abiola National stadium, Abuja on 28 and 29 May 2022. The fallout of the primary created animosity between Wike and Atiku, he worked against the PDP in the election and on October 20, 2024 he told Atiku to pack up and go home.[11][12][13][14]
President Bola Tinubu appointed Wike as minister of the FCT on 16 August 2023, following his nomination, screening and approval by the senate.[15]
- ^ Sulaimon, Adekunle (21 August 2023). "Just in: Wike assumes office as FCT minister". The Punch. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "Perceptions 2023: Nyesom Wike, Yahaya Bello". This Day. 5 February 2022. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "Nyesom Wike's Political Career". Legit.ng. 14 December 2020. Retrieved 17 October 2021.
- ^ "Cabinet reshuffle: Onwuliri now Minister of Education (State)". Daily Trust. 22 October 2014. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- ^ Nwabufo, Fredrick (30 December 2014). "Wike chooses Banigo, former Rivers SSG, as running mate". TheCable. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "[UPDATED] Wike wins Rivers PDP gov primary". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2015.
- ^ "What's New in 1.5?". education.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ "As Wike Faces the Jury". The Will. 20 August 2013. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ "Students Enterprise of Nigeria " Chief Ezenwo Wike". Gecng.vom. Archived from the original on 25 October 2014. Retrieved 22 December 2014.
- ^ Imukudo, Saviour (27 March 2022). "2023: Governor Wike declares for president". Premium Times. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Wike to Atiku: Nigerians rejected you multiple time, pack up and go". Brief Naija News. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ Alechenu, John (28 May 2022). "Atiku wins PDP presidential primary election; promises Nigerians unity, security". Vanguard. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ "Inside Venue Of PDP Presidential Primary". 28 May 2022. Retrieved 27 June 2022.
- ^ Jimoh, Azimazi Momoh (17 March 2022). "PDP conducts presidential primary election May 28, 29". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
- ^ Tolu-Kolawole, Deborah (16 August 2023). "Breaking: Tinubu appoints Wike Minister of FCT, Umahi, Minister of Works". The Punch. Retrieved 16 August 2023.