If I Appoint Wike Into My Government, I’ll Sellotape His Mouth — SDP’s Adebayo
Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has revealed what he would do if he appointed FCT Minister Nyesom Wike into his government, saying he would put “a little tape” over the minister’s mouth to restrain his controversial public utterances.
Adebayo made the remark during an interview with Symfoni while discussing the performance of the Tinubu administration, Wike’s role in the Federal Capital Territory and recent political developments, including the Osun State election.
Despite his criticism of Wike’s outspoken political style, Adebayo praised the minister’s work ethic and credited him with driving visible infrastructure development across the FCT.
“I respect Wike for one thing: that he has a good work ethic. He can work,” Adebayo said, arguing that previous FCT ministers had achieved far less compared with the projects being executed under the former Rivers State governor.
The SDP candidate acknowledged concerns over the cost and value of some contracts awarded under Wike, but maintained that the minister had delivered visible projects that had made life easier for residents of the nation’s capital.
However, Adebayo sharply criticised Wike’s approach to politics and public communication, accusing him of presenting an undesirable example of how public power should be exercised in a democracy.
He described Wike as a “bad example for Nigerian politics” because of what he considered the minister’s tendency to glorify force and state power. Adebayo said he hoped Wike would eventually recognise that political power was temporary and that a civilised society was preferable to confrontational politics.
Adebayo also took aim at the media for giving Wike platforms to comment on issues outside his responsibilities as FCT minister. He argued that some journalists were turning the minister into a “clown” by repeatedly broadcasting comments that, in his view, diminished the dignity of his office.
The SDP candidate urged Wike to concentrate on his official responsibilities in the FCT and, if he wanted to support President Bola Tinubu, to do so privately rather than through what he described as public theatrics.
Adebayo warned that Wike’s style could influence younger Nigerians negatively by creating the impression that democratic politics should be conducted through force, intimidation or thuggish language.
“If I was in my own government, I can appoint Wike, but I’ll put a little tape in his mouth,” Adebayo stated, while maintaining that the minister remained the number-one performing minister in the Tinubu administration because of his ability to deliver projects.
Turning to the wider performance of the Federal Government, Adebayo accused the Tinubu administration of intellectual dishonesty, creating an illusion around rising government revenues and making poor choices in the appointment of personnel.
He particularly criticised the leadership of the Nigeria Revenue Service, accusing its chairman of misleading Nigerians by highlighting increased FAAC allocations without adequately accounting for the decline in citizens’ purchasing power.
On the Osun State election, Adebayo said Tinubu displayed political skill in managing an internal APC conflict but rejected the suggestion that the outcome represented a model of democratic restraint or a genuine defeat of federal influence.
He expressed concern over the lives lost during the political process, the absence of a strong third-party challenge and the continued willingness of large numbers of voters to support the APC despite widespread economic hardship.
Adebayo also criticised governors who travelled to Osun during the election, accusing them of behaving in a “thuggish” and undignified manner. He urged political leaders to remember the responsibility attached to their offices and avoid setting examples that young Nigerians could imitate.
The SDP presidential candidate concluded that while competent politicians such as Wike could be useful in government because of their ability to deliver results, competence must be matched with restraint, discipline and respect for democratic values.
