NEWS
“It Takes a Mad Man to Fix a Mad Situation …I’m That Man Who Can Do The Work.” — FCT Minister, Nysome Wike Declares, Says Buhari-Era APC Pushed Nigeria Into ‘Madness,’ Declares He Had the Courage and Capacity to Rescue the Nation in 2023
Former Governor of Rivers State and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has delivered a blistering assessment of Nigeria’s recent political trajectory, asserting that the then All Progressives Congress (APC) administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari plunged the country into what he described as “madness.”
Wike, speaking forcefully while reflecting on the 2023 presidential contest, said Nigeria was in deep trouble at the time and required bold, unconventional leadership to pull it back from the brink.
According to him, the scale of the national challenges demanded not timidity, but courage, resolve, and the political will to confront entrenched problems head-on.
The former Rivers State governor maintained that he possessed both the will and the capacity to cure what he described as the country’s descent into chaos, insisting that his ambition to lead Nigeria was driven by conviction and preparedness, not vanity or political arithmetic.
He stressed that his entry into the presidential race was purposeful, emphasizing that he contested to win and to offer Nigerians decisive leadership, not merely to “add numbers” to the field of aspirants.
Wike argued that the nation, at the time, was yearning for leadership capable of restoring unity, peace, and prosperity, noting that Nigeria needed a leader unafraid of difficult decisions and bold reforms. He said he had the courage and ability to provide quality leadership that would usher in a new era of national rebirth.
In a characteristically blunt and provocative remark, Wike addressed criticisms often leveled against his political style, turning the narrative on its head as he framed it as a strength rather than a weakness.
“They say Wike is a mad man. I agree. What is the situation in Nigeria today, if not madness? it takes a mad man to handle a mad man. I’m that man who can do the work.”
The statement, delivered with trademark candour, underscored Wike’s long-standing image as a politician who embraces controversy while projecting himself as decisive and fearless. It also reinforced his claim that extraordinary national challenges require leaders willing to defy convention and confront crises without hesitation.
While the 2023 election has come and gone, Wike’s comments continue to stir debate, offering a stark reflection on the Buhari-era APC government and a reminder of the political battles and visions that shaped Nigeria’s most recent presidential race.