“I’ll Sellotape His Mouth”: Adebayo’s Blunt Warning on Appointing Wike

The Social Democratic Party presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has said he would appoint the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to his government but would put sellotape over his mouth to control his public utterances.

Adebayo praised Wike’s work ethic but criticised his approach to the use of force and state power.

A Backhanded Compliment

ValidViewNetwork gathered that the Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has said he would appoint the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to his government but would put sellotape over his mouth to control his public utterances.

Adebayo made the remark during an interview with Symfoni TV, while speaking about governance, the performance of the Tinubu administration, and recent political developments.

Praise for Wike’s Work Ethic

Adebayo praised Wike’s work ethic and contribution to infrastructure development in the FCT while sharply criticising the minister’s style of public communication and what he described as the glorification of force and state power.

“I respect Wike for one thing: that he has a good work ethic. He can work,” Adebayo said.

According to him, previous FCT ministers had achieved far less, adding that if commissioners of works across the states matched Wike’s output, Nigeria would have better infrastructure.

A “Bad Example” for Nigerian Politics

Despite his praise, Adebayo described Wike as a “bad example for Nigerian politics” because of his approach to the use of force and state power.

“If I was in my own government, I can appoint Wike, but I’ll put a little tape in his mouth,” Adebayo said.

The presidential candidate acknowledged that contracts awarded under Wike may be inflated and that value for money may be lacking, but insisted that visible work is being done.

A Lesson for Nigeria

Adebayo’s backhanded compliment is a reminder that effective governance requires both competence and restraint.

The same politicians who get things done must also be willing to listen, to communicate, and to respect the views of others.

The same leaders who are praised for their work ethic must also be held accountable for their conduct.

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For Nigeria, the lesson is clear: leadership is not just about building roads and bridges, it is about building trust and respect. The same leaders who alienate others through their words will never allow their own children to be alienated.

Demand competence and restraint. Hold leaders accountable for their actions and their words. And never forget that true leadership is measured by the lives you touch, not the noise you make.