₦airaland Forum

A report by Sahara Reporters, an online news platform owned by African Action Congress’ presidential candidate in the last general election, Omoyele Sowore, claimed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, boycotted the Council of State meeting.

This in a protest over President Bola Tinubu’s choice of a new chairman for the (Independent National Electoral Commission), and that he influenced other leaders to stay away.

A review of constitutional provisions, official records, and credible media reports shows the claim is largely inaccurate.

Claim 1: Wike skipped the Council of State meeting as a protest

Verdict: False

Under Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, ministers are not members of the Council of State. The council includes the president, vice-president, former heads of state, governors, and key judicial officers.

There is no record that Wike was expected to attend or that his absence was a protest.
Official State House releases and reputable media reports made no mention of Wike’s attendance or absence.

The report appears to confuse the Council of State with the Federal Executive Council, where ministers are statutory members.

Claim 2: Tinubu ignored Wike’s preferred nominee and picked Amupitan instead.

Verdict: False

On 9 October, President Tinubu nominated Professor Joash Amupitan as INEC chairman, and the National Council of State approved the appointment.

While Sahara Reporters claimed that Wike pushed for Justice Abdullahi Liman, no evidence supports this. No credible media outlet or official record confirms Wike had a nominee.

Claim 3: Wike persuaded former presidents to boycott the meeting.

Verdict: False

Although some former leaders were absent, there is no indication that Wike influenced their decision.

The Council of State meeting proceeded with adequate quorum and unanimous approval of Amupitan’s nomination. No verified source reports any organised boycott.

Claim 4: Sowore’s report on Wike’s Florida properties caused his political decline

Verdict: False

Activist Omoyele Sowore petitioned Florida authorities over alleged undeclared properties linked to Wike’s family. Wike denied the allegations.

While the controversy drew media attention, there is no verified link between the petition and any official action against Wike.

Claim 5: Wike returned from UK treatment and sought to remove Governor Fubara

Verdict: Mixed

Wike’s rift with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara is public knowledge, including impeachment attempts by the House of Assembly. However, claims that Wike returned from medical treatment abroad to plot Fubara’s removal are not independently verified.

Claim 6: Wike threatened Sowore after Tinubu’s corruption remark

Verdict: Unverified

Following Tinubu’s “no more corruption” comment during a trip to Brazil, Sowore criticised the president on social media. Wike publicly defended Tinubu and condemned Sowore’s statements.

However, there is no verifiable record of any direct threat made by Wike.

Claim 7: Tinubu ordered Wike to stop public briefings and asset amendment attempts

Verdict: Unverified

There is no credible report that Tinubu ordered Wike to halt public briefings.

Sahara Reporters’ claim that Wike tried to amend his asset declaration remains unconfirmed, as neither the Code of Conduct Bureau nor the EFCC has publicly acknowledged such a move

Claim 8: The INEC appointment was not on the Council’s agenda

Verdict: False

The agenda of the 9 October Council of State meeting included INEC nominations, national honours, and presidential pardons.

Reports from the State House confirm that the appointment of Professor Amupitan was expected and formally approved, not a surprise to members.

While elements of the Sahara Reporters article, such as the appointment of Joash Amupitan, are factual, most of its claims about Wike’s protest, influence, and alleged sabotage lack evidence.

The constitutional provisions and available records contradict the assertion that Wike boycotted the Council of State meeting or influenced others to do so.

The claims appear to rely on speculation and unnamed sources rather than verifiable documentation.

No credible media outlet, No verified source.

The claims appear to rely on speculation and unnamed sources rather than verifiable documentation.

Putindbutt:
Sowore, you see your life?, even the media are now factchecking you . Like how local and international media dey factcheck Obi when he dey open mouth dey drop hin Lamba

zero8zero:
That cashtivist who claimed Wike was rushed to the UK for emergency heart failure last month and the same week the man who had a heart failure was commissioning several projects in Abuja. And those finishing specialists were throwing parties on the threads.

richiemcgold:
I read the report yesterday and I could only laugh at the folly of those believing the fake news. How do you expect a minister from an opposition party like Wike to recommend INEC chairman to Tinubu? 🤥 Does it even make sense? I admire Omoyele Sowore a lot, but his Sahara Reporters is a big NO for me. They are only good at using sensational headlines to propagate lies and fake news.

azpekuliar:
He is in the opposition party on paper but in bed with the ruling party. Or did the ruling party not win his home state as a siting governor in 2023? You do not have more journalistic sources than a Sahara Reporters.

richmond500:
U people should allow Wike or Lere to say it's false

azpekuliar:
He is in the opposition party on paper but in bed with the ruling party. Or did the ruling party not win his home state as a siting governor in 2023? You do not have more journalistic sources than a Sahara Reporters.

Putindbutt:
Has anyone of them told you it's true?. Or has the presidency confirmed to any other credible media that it's true?.

richmond500:
We know Wike and Lere, they always jump and talk and are never tired of talking.

Their silence mean they admit to all the claim.

Don't expect the presidency to admit, they didn't admit to Ganduje until it happened, they didn't admit to the new INEC until it happened.
Their silence speaks volume

richiemcgold:
I read the report yesterday and I could only laugh at the folly of those believing the fake news. How do you expect a minister from an opposition party like Wike to recommend INEC chairman to Tinubu? 🤥 Does it even make sense? I admire Omoyele Sowore a lot, but his Sahara Reporters is a big NO for me. They are only good at using sensational headlines to propagate lies and fake news.

Putindbutt:
When he told you fake news about Wike was rushed to the UK for heart treatment, did they reply to all of you?, they allowed you dance naked. Not every fake news they will respond to.
What happened to Ganduje?, What happened to INEC? these kids sef

destinychildolu:
Fake Sahara reporters wey first leak the INEC nominee name abi? If you think Sowore is not friends with some people in Aso rock, you must be dreaming. Which news platform first broke the death of Yar'Adua?

richiemcgold:
So you also believe wike chose INEC chairman for Tinubu?

.. many brains need to be checked, walahi!

richiemcgold:
So you also believe wike chose INEC chairman for Tinubu?

.. many brains need to be checked, walahi!

richmond500:
Yes, Wike replied the UK treatment
Just say u didn't hear it.

Ganduje resignation was first hinted by Sahara reporters before it was made public
Amupitan appointment was first hinted by SR before it was made piblic

destinychildolu:
He rejected Wike's nominee. That retired judge

ddippset:
As far as I am concerned those fact checks are unverified NOT false.
The fact checker did not give any proof to say they are false.

And also, there are reports that the minister of state was at the meeting.

IF THAT IS TRUE then there must be something fishy for Wike not to be there.

Was the state minister truly in attendance?

Putindbutt:
As per you be Wike's Aide, he discussed it with you, you guys no dey rest, Fubara sef don dey prostrate for Wike but na you remain stuck. The factcheck clearly stated that the council of state is not statutorily meant for the ministers yet una still dey argue blindly. Fake news telling you a minister attended the council of state meeting but you dey believe. Which minister have you ever seen attend such a meeting and in which capacity?.
This una hate no fit stop person wey don pass una.

ddippset:
I know he wasn't meant to be there.

But I believe that the council of state sometimes invite other government officials for briefing on particular issues.

That's why I am asking the question,, was the minister of state FCT there?

Cus I heard she was there.

If she was then what are we arguing again?

ddippset:
As far as I am concerned those fact checks are unverified NOT false.
The fact checker did not give any proof to say they are false.

And also, there are reports that the minister of state was at the meeting.

IF THAT IS TRUE then there must be something fishy for Wike not to be there.

Was the state minister truly in attendance?