Human Rights Activist, Deji Adeyanju has leveled a scathing rebuke against FCT Minister and former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. Adeyanju accused Wike of engaging in divisive politics and betraying public trust in his relentless pursuit of personal ambition. Speaking passionately to an audience of civil society leaders and political observers, Deji asserted that Wike must take full responsibility for his actions and that his inflammatory rhetoric is unacceptable in a nation as diverse as Nigeria.
Adeyanju’s speech centered on a particularly incendiary remark made by Wike, who reportedly stated, “The Ijaws are the minority of the minority.” According to Adeyanju, this comment is far from a mere offhand remark—it is a deliberate attempt to devalue and marginalize the Ijaw people, one of Nigeria’s historically significant ethnic groups. He warned that if such language is left unchallenged, it would set a dangerous precedent that could lead to further erosion of the dignity and status of all minority communities within the country. “For me, I’m a firm believer that an injury to one is an injury to all. When Wike dismisses the Ijaw nation as insignificant, he sends a message that tomorrow, any group—even those as integral as my own community—could be treated as expendable,” Adeyanju declared.
The Activist did not hesitate to demand accountability at the highest levels of government. He directly challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stating that the president must call Wike to order and demand a public apology to the Ijaw nation. “I am putting it straight to President Tinubu that he has empowered Nwike to disseminate statements that undermine the dignity of our people,” Adeyanju said. He stressed that any attempt by Tinubu to distance himself from Wike’s divisive comments would be tantamount to condoning such behavior, effectively signaling that the leadership values personal ambition over the rights and dignity of Nigeria’s diverse communities.
The activist’s criticism extended beyond the immediate fallout of the controversial remark. Adeyanju recalled Wike’s history of opportunistic behavior and betrayal, noting that the minister has repeatedly abandoned allies and mentors in his relentless quest for power. “Wike has shown time and again that he is prepared to forsake anyone for the sake of climbing the political ladder,” Adeyanju stated. By drawing attention to these past betrayals, Adeyanju painted a picture of a political operative driven solely by self-interest—a dangerous trait in someone entrusted with public office.
Adeyanju said if Wike fails to apologize for his demeaning remarks, it signals that our leaders are indifferent to the suffering and marginalization of any ethnic group. This is not just an attack on one man’s character; it is a broader indictment of a political system that tolerates divisive rhetoric at the expense of national unity. Adeyanju warned that dismissive language like this jeopardizes the very foundation of Nigeria’s democracy, undermining trust in government institutions and fracturing the delicate balance of a nation built on diversity.
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