Fresh speculations about the health of Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have dominated social media in recent days.
Posts circulating widely on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook alleged that Wike, a close ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and is currently receiving treatment in the United Kingdom.
The viral claim, first published by Sahara Reporters, claimed the former Rivers State governor was in critical condition and “fighting for his life.”
The post has already been viewed by more than 12,000 users, sparking heated debate across political circles.
However, checks by Legit.ng show that no mainstream or reputable news outlet has independently confirmed the story.
Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka known for being outspoken and quick to dismiss false reports has also remained silent on the matter, adding to the uncertainty.
Why Nigerians Are Talking About Wike’s Health
Concerns grew after Wike’s absence from several public events in Abuja.
He was last seen on September 3 at the flag-off of the emergency rehabilitation and dualisation of the Karu Interchange to Customs Clinic Junction Road. Since then, his duties have been delegated to allies.
On September 4, his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, represented him at a fertiliser distribution event, while on September 11, the Minister of State for FCT, Mariya Mahmud Bunkure, stood in for him at the Association of Paediatric Surgeons of Nigeria’s annual conference.
This unusual absence has fueled public speculation, especially given Nigeria’s history of politicians traveling abroad for medical care while the nation’s health sector struggles with poor funding and limited facilities.
A Powerful Ally of Tinubu
Wike, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shocked many in 2023 when he openly supported Tinubu of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) against his own party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
His support proved pivotal, and following Tinubu’s victory, Wike was rewarded with the high-profile FCT ministerial appointment.
As leader of the influential “G5 Governors” who revolted against the PDP leadership, Wike has remained one of Tinubu’s strongest political allies, making any news about his health a matter of national attention.
What We Know So Far
At the moment, the claims of Wike suffering heart failure remain unverified. Apart from Sahara Reporters’ story, no credible medical update has been issued, and no official statement has been released by his camp.
Until Wike or his spokesperson addresses the speculation, Nigerians are left with more questions than answers.
For now, what is clear is that his absence from the public eye has opened the floodgates to rumours once again showing how quickly health-related claims about politicians can spread online in Nigeria.
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