Wike Not Ill, Says Rivers APC Chairman

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria 

The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has dismissed rumours suggesting that the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, is battling an undisclosed ailment.

Speculations about Wike’s health surfaced after his recent appearance on national television, where viewers observed a noticeable weight loss and frail look.

The former Rivers State Governor had appeared to address allegations levelled against him by his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

His appearance led to widespread concern on social media, with critics on platforms like X and YouTube questioning his health and urging him to step back from the ongoing Rivers political crises.

In an interview with the media on Saturday, Okocha, a staunch ally of Wike, debunked the claims, describing them as baseless.

He asserted that Wike was healthy and actively fulfilling his duties as a minister under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“The stories being peddled about his state of health are not true. How is he sick? Has anybody seen him falling or slumping? The man is not sick. He is very agile and does what he was appointed to do. Do you even know if he is watching his weight?” Okocha said.

Okocha, who previously served as Chief of Staff to former Governor Rotimi Amaechi, further emphasised the intensity of Wike’s work ethic, stating that any politician as committed as Wike could naturally attract such unflattering comments.

He added, “It’s not easy to hit the ground running like he has done since becoming a minister. The man is focused and committed to his responsibilities.”

The interview followed a media briefing held to update the public on the APC congresses in Rivers State and a recent court ruling barring the state from accessing federal allocations.

Wike, 56, has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, known for his no-nonsense approach and active involvement in national and state matters.