The Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Caretaker Committee in Rivers State, Tony Okocha, has dismissed rumors suggesting that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, is battling an undisclosed illness following observations of his recent weight loss and frail appearance.

In an exclusive interview with FRONTPAGE, Okocha, a close ally of Wike, rebuffed the speculations, which gained traction after Wike’s appearance on national television last month. The minister had addressed allegations made by Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara during the broadcast. Okocha clarified that Wike is in good health and attributed the weight loss to non-health-related factors.

Public concerns began surfacing on social media, where many Nigerians noted the 56-year-old Wike’s visibly aged appearance during the TV segment. Some commenters on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and YouTube speculated about his well-being, urging him to step back from the political tensions in Rivers State and prioritize his health.

Okocha used the platform to emphasize that there is no cause for alarm regarding Wike’s health, reassuring his supporters and dismissing the narratives as baseless rumors. He also highlighted Wike’s resilience amidst his ongoing duties in the FCT and his involvement in addressing the political dynamics in Rivers State.