“Wike’s Troubles Far From Over: ‘His Singing Has Only Just Begun’ – Odinkalu Blasts FCT Minister Over Asset Declaration Scandal”

The controversies surrounding Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and former Governor of Rivers State, have taken yet another dramatic turn as Chidi Odinkalu, a renowned human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), publicly took him to task.

In a hard-hitting post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, Odinkalu accused Wike of either failing to grasp or deliberately ignoring Nigeria’s asset declaration rules, particularly those concerning properties owned by spouses and children.

According to Odinkalu, the law is unambiguous: assets held by a public officer’s spouse or children are considered part of the official’s declaration obligations. He stressed that Wike’s alleged failure to declare such properties was a glaring violation that raises troubling questions about accountability and transparency.

The intervention follows a storm of public outrage after reports went viral on social media, alleging that Wike secretly owns luxury properties in the United States, acquired under the identities of his wife and children. The revelation has fueled growing scrutiny around the minister, who is no stranger to controversy.

Odinkalu went further, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the acquisitions by raising concerns about the ages of Wike’s children when the said properties were reportedly procured in 2008. His biting remark — “Wike hasn’t even read the asset declaration rules. His singing has only just begun” — has since ignited intense debate among Nigerians online.

Wike, a combative political heavyweight known for his fiery rhetoric and unapologetic style, now finds himself facing mounting criticism from opposition figures, legal experts, and civil society groups who argue that the revelations could erode public trust in his stewardship of the FCT.

For many observers, Odinkalu’s comments are not just a personal jab but a serious legal and ethical indictment that may yet have far-reaching consequences for one of the country’s most influential politicians.