Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has explained his decision to join the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, asserting that he did so because he believed in the administration’s potential for success. Speaking during a thanksgiving service held to mark the completion and inauguration of projects in the FCT, Wike said the positive changes already witnessed in Abuja are a testament to the president’s leadership.
Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a prominent political figure, emphasized that the decision to work under Tinubu was based on careful judgment, not personal gain. He stressed that he would not have aligned himself with the administration if it had not shown signs of being effective. According to Wike, the Tinubu administration has already achieved significant milestones within its first two years in office.
“Let me tell you, if the Tinubu government had not worked, I would not have supported it,” Wike said. “FCT residents and Nigerians in general can attest to the changes Mr. President has introduced in the FCT.”
Wike praised Tinubu for reforms that have enabled more efficient funding for the FCT. He noted that one of the key policy shifts that facilitated development was the removal of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which he claimed had previously hindered infrastructure projects. “Before now, it was difficult for FCT to access funds. Mr. President, in his wisdom, made sure that we were pulled out of the TSA,” Wike stated. “Today, we can see the projects because we are no longer operating under the TSA.”
In a message directed at the Christian community, Wike urged religious leaders to avoid being influenced by politicians whose interests are self-serving. He said the church nearly made what he called “the worst mistake” during the 2023 elections by backing the wrong candidates, suggesting that some of those who ran for office did so without credible plans or past achievements.
“We have to be very careful this time round. It would have been a decision that would have cost some of us our future,” Wike said. “Ask us questions. We are the politicians. You have to be careful about what we tell you. Don’t allow people with propaganda to blackmail you.”
Wike also criticized past leaders who, according to him, failed to deliver results despite having multiple years in office. He questioned why Nigerians were not as outraged during their tenure, despite poor performance. “People had the opportunity to be in government for several years – eight years, 20 years. People had the opportunity to bring facilities and infrastructure to their states, but they didn’t do it,” he remarked. “At that time, Nigerians were not angry. It is only now they are not in office that Nigerians are angry.”
The FCT Minister cited the case of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre as an example of the current administration’s commitment to reform and accountability. He revealed that the facility had previously been leased out to a private operator who paid only ₦50 million annually to the government. After the Tinubu administration took control and rehabilitated the venue, it reportedly generated over ₦700 million in just three weeks.
“When we went there, Mr. President said this is an eyesore,” Wike recounted. “Now, within six or seven months, we have rehabilitated the International Conference Centre.”
He used this example to contrast the current administration with those of the past, accusing some of misleading the public with narratives aimed at gaining sympathy or political advantage. “That’s the kind of thing they want. When you say no, we will not allow that, they paint you all kinds of pictures and tell you stories,” he said.
Wike concluded by challenging critics to reflect on their own records when they were in power. He argued that anyone claiming to have plans to “rescue Nigeria” should be asked what they did when they had the opportunity. “If I say we want to rescue Nigeria, what you should ask me, when you had the opportunity, is: what happened?” he said. “If you ask me today about when I was governor of Rivers State, what happened? I am able to say yes, I did this, I did this, I did this.”
He also addressed Nigeria’s security history, reminding the public that major security breaches, such as the bombing of trains to Kaduna, happened under past administrations. “Was it under the administration of Bola Tinubu that the trains were bombed? That time, they did not rescue Nigeria,” he stated.
Wike’s remarks appear to be a combination of self-justification for his political alignment and a broader defense of the Tinubu government amid growing public criticism. His statements underscore the administration’s effort to project visible accomplishments while drawing sharp contrasts with previous leaderships.
