Tinubu Under Pressure as Northern Group Demands Dismissal of Wike and ICPC Secretary
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The Northern Political Awareness Organization has formally called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission Secretary Clifford Oparaodu, accusing both officials of obstructing justice in a multibillion-dollar land scandal.
The group condemned the recent arrest of Abuja Geographic Information System staffer Mairiga Hassan Shaharu, arguing his detention was “against the Constitution of Nigeria” and amounted to a punitive measure for blowing the whistle on alleged corruption.
According to the organization, Shaharu’s arrest by police detectives “last Tuesday afternoon” stemmed directly from his role in leaking documents that “revealed at least 3,822 hectares of land, potentially worth $6.45 billion, were allocated by Mr Wike to his two sons, Jordan, 25, and Joaquin, 23.”
The statement characterized the operation to silence Shaharu as a threat to democratic transparency and an affront to every citizen’s right to expose wrongdoing.
Highlighting allegations of nepotism within the anti-corruption agency itself, the group pointed to the family ties between Wike and the ICPC secretary, noting that “Clifford Oparadu was nominated by Minister Nyesom Wike in 2023 as secretary of ICPC” and emphasizing their shared roots and longstanding political alliance.
The Northern Political Awareness Organization argued that Oparaodu’s appointment effectively installed a “protective shield to cover his loots and monumental corruption,” thereby undermining the commission’s mandate.
In its appeal to the presidency, the group insisted that the FCT minister “must step aside to make room for proper investigation without any undue influence and interference,” warning that failure to act would render any inquiry into the fraud allegations “a fluke.”
It further urged that Oparaodu “must be removed immediately from the office of the ICPC and should never be sent to any anti corruption agency,” asserting that his continued service would only perpetuate “insulting” treatment of Nigerians and erode public confidence in governance.
Concluding its demand, the Northern Political Awareness Organization issued a blunt directive: “Wike Must Go. Oparadu Must Go.” With the scandal capturing national attention, all eyes now turn to the presidency for what critics hope will be a swift response upholding the principles of accountability and the rule of law.
