Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at activist and political commentator Aisha Yesufu, saying politics is not about speaking grammar but about winning support and succeeding in elections.
Wike made the remarks while reacting to comments previously made by Yesufu, who had criticised him and questioned his role in national politics.
The exchange is the latest chapter in an increasingly public war of words between the two outspoken figures, a development that has generated widespread discussion across political and social media circles.
Speaking during a public event, the former Rivers State governor appeared to mock Yesufu over her failure to secure a senatorial ticket during the recent primary election conducted by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the Federal Capital Territory.
Without holding back, Wike suggested that political commentary and media appearances do not automatically translate into electoral success.
According to him, some individuals often appear on television programmes and social media platforms presenting political analyses and statistics, but struggle when faced with the practical realities of electoral politics.
Referring to Yesufu, Wike said she had once dismissed him as merely an appointee of government and claimed she had no business engaging with political appointees.
He, however, argued that her political performance in the NDC primary election showed that politics involves more than making public statements.
“There is one woman, Aisha Yesufu, who said Wike is an appointee of government and that she has no business with appointees,” Wike said.
“You speak grammar, speak grammar. Ordinary primary of NDC, what happened?”
The minister went further to ridicule the outcome of the primary contest, saying that when the time came to test political strength through an election, the expected result did not materialise.
“It is easy for people to talk. When they go on television stations, they begin to churn out data from nowhere. Now, the time for data has come. What happened? It did not work,” he said.
The comments have attracted reactions from supporters and critics of both personalities, with many Nigerians debating whether political influence should be measured by electoral victories alone.
The disagreement between Wike and Yesufu did not start with the latest remarks.
In recent days, Yesufu had launched a strong attack on the minister, accusing him of political failures and daring him to mention her name directly whenever he wanted to criticise her.
The activist had also revisited events surrounding the 2022 presidential primary election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where Wike lost the party’s presidential ticket.
She accused the minister of making poor political calculations and claimed that his actions contributed to internal divisions within the PDP.
Her comments quickly gained attention online and drew responses from political supporters on both sides.
The latest statement from Wike appears to be a direct response to those criticisms.
The public disagreement has once again highlighted the sharp divisions that continue to exist among political actors and activists in Nigeria’s political space.
Wike remains one of the country’s most influential politicians.
He served as governor of Rivers State for eight years before being appointed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory by President Bola Tinubu in 2023.
Since assuming office, he has maintained a strong presence in national politics and regularly comments on issues affecting both the ruling party and opposition groups.
His political style, often described as outspoken and confrontational, has made him one of the most talked-about political figures in the country.
On the other hand, Aisha Yesufu is widely known for her activism and advocacy on governance, accountability and human rights issues.
She became nationally recognised during the Bring Back Our Girls campaign, which demanded the rescue of schoolgirls abducted from Chibok in Borno State in 2014.
Over the years, she has remained active in public debates and has frequently criticised political leaders regardless of party affiliation.
Her involvement in political advocacy increased during the 2023 general elections, where she became one of the prominent voices supporting political reforms and citizen participation in governance.
According to observers, disagreements that would once have remained within political circles now quickly become national discussions due to the reach of digital platforms.
Supporters of Wike argue that electoral victories remain the ultimate test of political relevance and leadership.
However, supporters of Yesufu insist that activism and public engagement play an important role in holding leaders accountable and promoting democratic values.
As reactions continue to trail the minister’s comments, neither side appears willing to back down.
The exchange has become one of the most talked-about political discussions on social media, drawing contributions from politicians, activists and ordinary citizens.
With political activities already gathering momentum ahead of future elections, observers believe similar verbal confrontations may continue to emerge as politicians and activists seek to shape public opinion.