Nyesom Wike, the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has today, quietly departed for the United Kingdom to receive specialized medical treatment, according to reliable sources close to his inner circle.
This development marks a significant shift for the prominent politician, who once championed the idea of relying on Nigeria’s local healthcare infrastructure during his time as governor of Rivers State.
Wike’s journey abroad comes after alleged diagnosis of congestive heart failure, a condition that has prompted medical experts to advise him on potential surgical options.
It bears mentioning that Physicians attending to Wike allegedly recommended a bypass procedure to address his heart-related issues effectively.
However, the minister opted against it, citing the lengthy recovery time it would demand and the risks associated with stepping away from his high-stakes responsibilities in Abuja for too long. Such an absence, he reportedly worried, could lead to political maneuvering that might jeopardize his position.
Instead, he chose to pursue ongoing management and monitoring in the UK, where advanced facilities could provide the care he needs without the immediate disruption of major surgery.
Wike’s decision to seek treatment overseas contrasts sharply with his earlier public commitments to bolstering domestic medical services. Back in April 2021, while serving as the governor of Rivers State, he hosted a delegation from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) at the Rivers State University College of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt.
During that engagement, Wike firmly stated his preference for staying within the country for any health needs. He highlighted the availability of top-notch equipment right at the Government House Clinic in Port Harcourt, emphasizing that all necessary tests and procedures could be handled locally without the need for international travel. “We have everything it takes to deliver quality care here,” he declared at the time, urging Nigerians to invest in and trust their homegrown systems rather than looking abroad.
Also see: Tinubu’s Press Releases Outshine Real Solutions
This stance was reinforced later that year, in October 2021, when Wike personally oversaw progress on the Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre in Port Harcourt. As governor, he stressed the government’s duty to equip healthcare professionals with modern tools and supportive environments to perform at their best.
He pointed to the successes at the Government House Hospital as proof that Nigerian doctors, given the right resources and incentives, could handle complex cases without patients needing to leave the country. These initiatives in Rivers State were part of a broader effort to improve access to specialized treatments, particularly for heart and cancer conditions, benefiting residents in the oil-rich region and beyond.
Fast-forward to 2025, and Wike’s health has drawn increased scrutiny amid his role in the FCT administration. Earlier this year, rumors circulated that he had suffered a collapse and was urgently airlifted overseas for emergency care. In April 2025, while conducting an inspection of infrastructure projects in Abuja, Wike categorically refuted these allegations.
He labeled them as baseless fabrications spread by political opponents eager to undermine his work. “I’m no ghost; if something happens to me, it would be real, but nothing did,” he said dismissively during the tour.
He went on to mock the rumormongers, suggesting they prepare condolence messages if they were so convinced of his demise, while urging focus on substantive governance matters instead of distractions.
