Lere Olayinka claims Wike's nuisance value secured two Rivers governorship terms
Lere Olayinka, an aide to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, said Wike's 'nuisance value' made him local government chairman and two-term governor of Rivers State, responding to ADC chieftain Ibrahim Modibbo's claim that Wike's press conferences are a nuisance. Modibbo, appearing on AIT’s Democracy Today, urged Wike to stay indoors during the 2027 general elections and not harass voters, citing his behavior during past local government elections. Olayinka countered that Wike's nuisance value won him the Obio Akpor LGA chairmanship from 1999 to 2007 and two gubernatorial terms from May 29, 2015 to May 29, 2023, noting that Wike correctly predicted Atiku would lose in 2023 while Modibbo has held no such office. He asked whose nuisance value is better—one that delivers office or one that achieves nothing. The exchange highlights rising political tensions ahead of the 2027 polls, with accusations of voter harassment and counter-claims of irrelevance. As 2027 approaches, do you view Wike's assertive style as effective leadership or just political noise that distracts from governance?