Mariya Mahmoud: Working Under Wike’s Shadow

In two months, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, the Minister of State, will complete three years of working innocuously alongside the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.

It might seem unremarkable; after all, Ipalibo Banigo worked harmoniously with the former governor for eight long years in Rivers.

Though in the shadows, only people paying attention will notice that Mahmoud is quietly making her mark across different sectors of the FCT. Yet, she has managed to stay in the minister’s good book.

During their three years in office, civil servants in the FCTA have clashed with Wike and embarked on long industrial actions.

Contractors, directors and heads of multiple agencies have fallen on the wayside. And outside of the FCT, the list of people in the minister’s cross hairs is even longer.

Mahmoud and Wike have different life experiences and temperaments. Their politics, profession and cultural affiliations are worlds apart.

Most significantly, Wike is an assertive politician who does not shy away from confrontations and does not hold back when wronged or disagrees with something or someone.

As a family medicine consultant, Mahmoud is no stranger to managing patients in poor health, in physical, emotional, and sometimes financial pain. She has a different kind of job now.