In a brazen act of political expediency, Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), in a recent live media chat revealed how, as Governor of Rivers State, he dismissed a security report by the Department of State Services (DSS) as “fake.” This alarming behaviour, coming from a high-ranking official tasked with safeguarding the nation’s capital, epitomizes the toxic culture of denialism that continues to undermine Nigeria’s fight against insecurity. Such rhetoric not only erodes public confidence in critical institutions but also emboldens criminals who thrive in environments of disinformation and governmental dysfunction.
The DSS, Nigeria’s primary domestic intelligence agency, plays a pivotal role in identifying and mitigating security threats. Its reports are meant to guide policymakers, inform security strategies, and alert citizens to emerging risks. For a sitting minister to tell the world how, as chief security officer of a key state like Rivers, he casually dismiss such a report —without providing evidence or engaging in constructive dialogue —reveals a disturbing disregard for the gravity of Nigeria’s security crisis. Wike’s comments are particularly reckless given his role now as FCT minister, a region grappling with rising kidnappings, armed robberies, and threats of terrorism.
Wike’s disregard for our intelligence agencies, raises urgent questions about his motivations:
- Avoiding Accountability: By labelling the DSS report “fake,” Wike sidestepped scrutiny of his administration’s handling of security in Rivers, and now, Abuja. This deflection shields him from answering for failures to protect citizens.
- Undermining Federal Institutions: The DSS operates under the Federal Government. Wike’s dismissal may reflect deeper political tensions, where subnational leaders weaponize distrust in federal agencies to consolidate power or deflect blame.
- Silencing Dissent: Security reports often expose uncomfortable truths. Branding them “fake” is a tactic to silence critics, including civil society and journalists, who rely on such data to demand accountability.
Wike’s rhetoric has dire implications of eroding of public trust. When leaders dismiss credible intelligence, citizens lose faith in institutions designed to protect them. This breeds apathy and non-cooperation with security agencies. Terrorists and kidnappers exploit gaps in governance. Public denial of threats creates a false sense of security, leaving communities vulnerable. more so, his reckless statement can be seen as an Institutional Sabotage. Repeated attacks on agencies like the DSS demoralize personnel and weaken Nigeria’s capacity to preempt crises.
Wike’s actions fit a dangerous pattern where political survival trumps national interest.
Nigeria’s security challenges demand honesty, not hubris.
National Security Not a Political Toy**
Minister Wike’s cavalier dismissal of the DSS report is a betrayal of his mandate to protect the citizens. Nigeria’s security crisis cannot be solved by leaders who prioritize ego over evidence, or politics over people. The DSS, despite its imperfections, remains a critical pillar of national security. To discredit its work is to sabotage Nigeria’s fragile stability.
Wike must retract his statement, apologize to the DSS, and commit to addressing the security gaps his administration has ignored. The lives of Nigerians depend on leaders who value truth, transparency, and courage. It is time to stop playing politics with survival.
References
- Premium Times (2023). “DSS Warns of Planned Attacks in Abuja, Urges Vigilance.”
- The Cable (2022). “Kaduna Train Attack: How Security Warnings Were Ignored.”
- Amnesty International (2023). “Nigeria: Authorities Fail to Protect Civilians Amid Rising Insecurity.”
Wike’s Statement stands condemned as it implicates a broader culture of impunity. The country’s security is too fragile for reckless rhetoric — it demands responsible leadership.