Call for Wike’s sack: Governance is a serious responsibility and not jokes- CRP chides Adeyanju, VDM

A grassroots movement, Concerned Rivers People (CRP), has responded to recent calls for the removal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

The group urged human rights activists Deji Adeyanju and Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as “Very Dark Man” (VDM), to recognize that governance is a serious responsibility, not to be trivialized.

This reaction was made public in a statement signed by CRP’s Director of Communication, Robinson Uke, on Saturday.

The statement comes after a protest led by Adeyanju and VDM, in which a group of FCT residents demonstrated against the recent demolition of homes in Ruga, a city suburb. Protesters demanded Wike’s removal, claiming that the demolitions were unjust.

However, CRP responded by stating: “Our attention has been drawn to a misleading viral video in which VDM and Adeyanju called for the removal of Barrister Nyesom Wike, the hardworking FCT Minister. Normally, we would have ignored such an unfounded claim, but for the sake of clarity, we need to set the record straight.

“Administration is not comedy or the act of writing unfounded stories in the name of activism because before any action is taken due diligence must have been adequately carried out by government”.

The group defended Wike’s actions, noting that proper administrative procedures had been followed before the demolition, and residents were given adequate notice to vacate.

According to Uke, “Before the demolition, residents were given ample time to leave the illegally occupied area, but they failed to comply”.

CRP questioned whether Adeyanju and VDM had investigated if the occupied area interfered with the FCT’s master plan. “Abuja is called a territory administered by a minister because it is the seat of power and a reflection of Nigeria’s image. Wike has not violated any law by upholding the FCT’s master plan and clearing illegal structures,” the group emphasized.

Uke went on to state that the activists’ claims were intended to foster discord between the president and the FCT minister. “This attempt is bound to fail. We advise Adeyanju and VDM to adopt a more constructive approach to their activism rather than sensationalizing issues without sufficient facts”, the group said.

The CRP advised the public to disregard the activists’ criticisms, which they labeled as a “publicity stunt.”