Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, CON, is a prominent Nigerian politician and lawyer who currently serves as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Early Life and Education
Nyesom Wike was born on December 13, 1967, to the family of Reverend and Mrs. Ezenwo Wike in Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpor, Rivers State. He holds degrees in Political and Administrative Studies as well as Law from the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (now Rivers State University). He graduated from Law School in 1997 and was called to the Nigerian Bar the following year.
Career and Political Journey
Wike’s political career began in local government and progressed to national prominence:
- Local Government Chairman: He was a two-term Executive Chairman of the Obio-Akpor Local Government Area from 1999 to 2007. During this time, he also served as the Deputy President and later the President of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON).
- Chief of Staff: From October 2007 to May 2011, he served as the Chief of Staff at the Rivers State Government House under then-Governor Rotimi Amaechi.
- Minister of State for Education: In July 2011, President Goodluck Jonathan appointed him as the Minister of State for Education.
- Acting Minister of Education: He later became the Acting Minister of Education in 2013 before resigning in 2014 to contest the governorship of Rivers State.
- Governor of Rivers State: Wike was elected as the Governor of Rivers State in 2015 and served two terms until May 2023. He was known for his extensive infrastructure development initiatives, earning him the nickname “Mr. Projects”.
- Minister of the FCT: In a rare cross-party appointment, President Bola Tinubu nominated Wike as a minister in July 2023. He was subsequently appointed and sworn in as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in August 2023, a position he holds to date. Despite his FCT appointment under an All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government, Wike has publicly stated he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Personal Life
Nyesom Wike is married to Eberechi Suzzette Wike, who is a Justice of the Rivers State High Court.
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