A True Leader Does Not Ask What He Gains From Office – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has appealed with Nigerian youths to see leadership as a platform for service and not self gratification.

Naija News reports that the Minister spoke at the 36th Convocation of the University of Port Harcourt.

He asserted that Nigeria’s future depends on leaders who prioritise public interest above personal gain.

“Leadership is service. It is not an avenue for self-glorification, but a covenant with the people,” he said.

The minister warned that corruption, abuse of office and self-interest have weakened institutions and slowed national development.

He challenged the graduates to become leaders defined by courage, integrity and accountability.

“The true leader does not ask, ‘What do I gain from this office?’ but rather, ‘What do the people gain from my stewardship?’” Wike stated.

According to him, leadership should be measured by the positive impact it has on people’s lives and the institutions it leaves behind.

Meanwhile, Wike, has said former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, made a mistake by contesting the 2027 presidential primary on the platform of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Naija News reports that Wike said he would have advised Amaechi against joining the ADC presidential race if the former Rivers State governor had sought his counsel.

He spoke on Monday during his monthly media chat in Abuja.

Wike, who served as Chief of Staff under Amaechi when he was Rivers State governor, said the structure of the ADC made it clear that the primary would not be transparent.

“Amaechi is my brother. I served as Chief of Staff in his government. When I saw that he was running with them, I knew what would happen. If he had called me, I would have said, ‘Don’t go there.’ It was very clear he would not get transparency or due process,” Wike said.

The FCT minister alleged that the party’s arrangement was designed to favour former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar.

He said the emergence of former Senate President David Mark as ADC chairman showed the direction the primary would take.

“When I saw the setup in ADC and saw David Mark there, I laughed. When you have worked with these people, you know who is who and what they are capable of doing. That set-up was Atiku’s set-up 100 per cent,” he said.

Wike argued that Amaechi should have been more cautious before joining the race.

“You cannot set a trap for me. We know ourselves as politicians. Who told you that kind of structure would give you transparency? Who told you that kind of structure would give you free and fair elections?” he asked.

“I think my brother made a mistake. He was too much in a hurry. He was carried away by people shouting that this government is not doing well. They used that to lure people in and give themselves credibility,” he added.