By Ayomide Otitoju
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has playfully cautioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, against inadvertently bolstering the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Abuja through his ongoing infrastructure development efforts.
Tinubu made the remarks on Sunday while receiving a delegation from the FCT at the Presidential Banquet Hall, State House, Abuja, during the Eid-El-Fitr celebrations.
Reflecting on a past conversation with Wike, the president recalled:
“I remember the day Nyesom Wike came to me and said, ‘Please, take us out of this problem of TSA so that I can do more work and achieve more.’ Then I said, ‘Okay, tell me what you’re about to do.’ And he presented it. I threw in my own political guide: ‘Would that give me any opportunity for my party to win the election in FCT?’
“I said, ‘I know where you are coming from, your own party or my party. If this thing goes too much in your own favour, you will lose your job.’ Then he said, ‘Okay, we will settle that, Oga.’”
Wike’s Political Stance and Ongoing Rivalry in Rivers State
Wike, a longstanding PDP figure and former governor of Rivers State, currently serves in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration but has repeatedly asserted that his ministerial appointment does not signify his exit from the PDP.
During a broadcast marking his first year in office last August, Wike dismissed speculation of his defection to the ruling party. His position has been further complicated by his political rift with his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who was suspended on March 18 following Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
Tinubu Commends Wike’s Impact on FCT Infrastructure
The president lauded Wike’s swift transformation of the FCT, emphasizing that previously neglected projects were now receiving attention.
“Things started changing rapidly, and I started looking at the opening up of the rural areas, abandoned projects, and the residence of the vice president that had been left unattended for years. It has now come alive,” Tinubu remarked.
He highlighted improvements in healthcare, education, and security, attributing them to Wike’s leadership.
“The health centres are being rehabilitated, our teachers are being supported, and school buildings are being refurbished. Thank you, Wike. We wouldn’t have been able to celebrate if not for the progressive ideas you have introduced. Today, we are living in peace, security is improving, and even food prices are coming down,” he stated.
Strengthening National Unity Through Leadership
Tinubu underscored the importance of unity and diversity, commending Wike’s ability to serve effectively outside his native South-South region.
“Surprisingly, Nyesom Wike is not from the North. He’s not a Hausa man. He’s from the southern part of Nigeria, yet his ability to work in the heart of the North is yielding results. That is a good reflection of our diversity that we must use for prosperity,” Tinubu said.
The president reaffirmed his commitment to policies that streamline governance, enhance professional growth within the civil service, and ensure that Nigerians, regardless of their background, can contribute meaningfully to national development.
