EXCLUSIVE: FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Flies to UK for Medical Treatment, Despite Earlier Opposition to Overseas Care

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reportedly travelled to the United Kingdom to receive medical attention, four years after publicly dismissing the need for political leaders to seek treatment abroad.

According to SaharaReporters, sources close to the minister revealed that Wike has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure and is currently under medical management. Doctors had recommended a bypass surgery, but the minister allegedly declined the procedure, citing concerns about being away from his duties for an extended period and the risk of being replaced during his absence.

“Wike has travelled to the UK to seek medical attention. He refused the bypass surgery recommended because he doesn't want to be gone for too long or replaced,” one of the sources said.

Contradiction to His 2021 Stance

Wike’s medical trip comes in stark contrast to his statements in 2021 when he was the Governor of Rivers State. At the time, he had declared that he would not travel overseas for treatment, insisting that Nigeria had the facilities and resources to handle such care.

During a courtesy visit by the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) to the Rivers State University College of Medical Sciences in April 2021, Wike said:

“If we have all these things here, why do we have to travel? We have all it takes to provide it. Why will I go out to do my check when I have all the facilities in Government House? I don’t need it. Everything required for me to undergo any test is here.”

Later in October 2021, while inspecting construction at the Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt, he emphasized that the government’s duty was to provide Nigerians with accessible, quality healthcare. He argued that Nigerian doctors could deliver effectively if given the right tools, facilities, and incentives.

Past Rumours About His Health

Wike’s health has been the subject of speculation in recent years. Earlier this year, reports emerged that he collapsed and was rushed abroad for treatment. The minister, however, dismissed those claims, describing them as false and politically motivated.

“First of all, I’m a human being, not a ghost. There was never a time I collapsed. There was never a time anybody took me anywhere for medical attention. People who spread such rumours should focus on reality,” he told reporters during a project inspection in Abuja.

He went further to accuse political rivals of using health-related rumours to distract the public from pressing national issues.

Public Reaction and Concerns

The minister’s decision to now seek treatment abroad is expected to draw public scrutiny, given his earlier criticism of medical tourism by Nigerian leaders. It also raises questions about his capacity to effectively manage the affairs of the FCT amid ongoing health challenges.