“You Failed as Senator, Defend Election Riggers” – Wike Slams Shehu Sani, Ozekhome

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, sharply criticized former Senator Shehu Sani and Senior Advocate of Nigeria Mike Ozekhome at the This Nigeria Annual Lecture and Gold Prize Award 2024 in Abuja. The event marked Nigeria’s 25 years of uninterrupted democracy.

Wike expressed his dissatisfaction with Ozekhome’s lecture, which he felt failed to acknowledge any progress Nigeria has made over the past 25 years. “In all this lecture, not one progress was mentioned. It was criticism after criticism. Are you telling me that in 25 years, not one progress was made?” Wike stated, emphasizing that a balanced view recognizing both challenges and achievements was necessary.

The Minister also took issue with Sani’s call for President Bola Tinubu to address the hunger crisis in Nigeria. Wike questioned Sani’s track record as a Senator, asking, “When you were in the Senate, how did you perform? What was your performance as Senator?”

Furthermore, Wike accused Ozekhome of lacking integrity by defending election riggers in court, asking if the senior lawyer had ever rejected a case on moral grounds. “As an activist, how many times have you rejected briefs? Those who have rigged elections, you have even defended them,” Wike challenged.

He concluded by urging for a more balanced discourse that acknowledges both the progress and the ongoing challenges in Nigeria’s democratic journey.