The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has spoken about various political developments in the country.
Wike spoke in a media chat on Friday in Abuja.
WIKE ON PETER OBI -SOCIAL MEDIA CANDIDATE
Giving his reason for not supporting the Labour Party, LP, Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, at the 2023 general elections, Wike stated that Obi was a “social media candidate,” and stood no chance in the election
“No, he has no chance to win the election.
“I don’t go to where you see people like this kind of social media candidates. I don’t do social media candidate.”
WIKE ON HIS AND PRESIDENT TINUBU’S ACHIEVEMENTS IN ABUJA
He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing a lot, through him, in the nation’s capital Abuja.
Wike provided updates on ongoing projects and outlined the administration’s strategies for improving healthcare, land management, sanitation, and transportation within the FCT.
“The difference is clear,” the Minister stated emphatically, adding that FCT residents are amazed at the accelerated development that is going on all over the territory.
He said: “You can see what is happening; people are talking, saying, ‘You mean this is possible within a short time of less than two years?’ We were here for eight years, and comparatively, little happened. We have not even reached two years, and look at what has already been achieved. Imagine what will happen in four years’ time.
“When I go out, I see that people are happy. I recently visited Kwali, on the road to Lokoja – A2 to Pai. The enthusiastic reception I received was remarkable. Similarly, the progress from Pai to Gomani is evident for all to see. In Bwari, the Gaba/Tokulo road is another testament to our commitment to reaching rural areas. People are genuinely amazed that the government is focusing on these communities; it has never happened before. So, yes, people are happy.”
Addressing recent insinuations regarding the cost of the ongoing International Conference Centre (ICC) renovation, Wike clarified that the investment reflects the enhanced quality of work being delivered: “The cost is a direct result of the improved quality we are insisting upon.
“They are not cheap, but their standards are exceptional. By this May, I invite you to visit the International Conference Centre and witness the transformation firsthand. As Nigerians, you will be proud of what has been accomplished.”
Speaking on on-going hospital projects, including those in Utako, Gwagwalada, and Kubwa, the Minister acknowledged the challenges posed by existing litigation.
Addressing the recent land reforms, including the regularization of Area Council land titles, the Minister reiterated the Supreme Court’s ruling that all land within the FCT falls under the FCT Administration.
“The Supreme Court has come to say every land belongs to the FCT, therefore, there is nothing like Area Council land and we don’t want to go back in saying that we have cancelled all the allocations. We said let’s regularize so that you can have your C of O”, he said.
The Minister also called for prompt payment of fees and development of allocated lands to prevent land speculation and ensure efficient land utilization.
On the issue of reviewing the Abuja masterplan, the Minister urged for patience, stating, “The Abuja master plan is to keep Abuja the way it was designed.”
The Minister stated that he will bring down any illegal structure that is against the Abuja masterplan.
WIKE ON RIVERS CRISIS AND FUBARA
Wike expressed dissatisfaction with the Presidential declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.
“I am not happy with the state of emergency,” the former Rivers governor said.
He said he wanted the outright removal of Fubara, he said: “As a politician, I am not happy with the declaration of Emergency Rule in Rivers state. I wanted the outright removal of the governor. But for the interest of the state, the President did the right thing to prevent anarchy in the state.
“The matter is in court but people must say the truth. The governor was gone. It is not on my place to make it good for the governor. As a politician, my business is not to make him comfortable and that is why there is power plane.”
The rift also affected the state House of Assembly, with 27 suspended members defecting to the All Progressives Congress.
WIKE SAYS ATIKU, PDP GOVS NOT TRUTHFUL AND PARTY MAY LOSE 2027
Wike said his People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Governors Forum and those vying for a coalition, like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, were not truthful.
He warned that what happened in 2023, where the PDP lost the Presidential election, may happen again in 2027 due to impunity within the party.
Wike said: “Those who said they want a coalition are not truthful to themselves, and those in the party are not useful; it’s just a matter of interest.
“Let me start with those who said they don’t want a coalition, that is the Governors Forum, they are not sincere to themselves and the party.
“On Tuesday, I watched Politics Today and I called Makinde to say you are not telling the truth regarding some issues.
“One of the reasons why the PDP lost in 2023 was impunity. You are right; people who believe that they have all it takes and refuse to respect the constitution of the party regarding power-sharing between the North and South.
“Now you are making the same mistake with the impunity of the Governors Forum. You are repeating the same thing, and what happened in 2023 may happen again in 2027.
“If you don’t stop this impunity, it will affect the party. How? The Governors Forum is not an organ of the party; it’s a pressure group that can influence the National Working Committee.”
WIKE SAYS NBA’S CRITICISM OF RIVERS EMERGENCY RULE MOTIVATED BY ILLEGAL N300M GIFT
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) criticised the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) over its stance on the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers state.
Wike alleged that NBA’s criticism of the emergency rule in Rivers was influenced by a N300 million ‘illegal gift” by the state government.
The FCT minister alleged that legal association received the gift from the Rivers government even though it was aware it was not budgeted for.
Wike explained that during his time as Governor, he included provisions for donations in the appropriation bills under the line item labeled “grant”.
“It is unfortunate. The President declared a state of emergency, they said it is unconstitutional, until everybody knew why they said that — the state gave them a gift of N300 million,” Wike said.
“A gift that was not appropriated. There is no appropriation. The NBA took an illegal gift.
“Assuming all these issues did not come out, did you know they took gift?”
Suspending the Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the House of Assembly under the State of Emergency pronouncement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired naval chief, as the state’s Sole Administrator.
The decision elicited varied reactions as many stakeholders, including the NBA, criticised the President.
Recently, the NBA clashed with the Rivers government, under the leadership of Ibas, over the payment of N300 million to the association by the Fubara-led administration for the 2025 annual general conference (AGC).
The state government said since NBA moved its conference from Port Harcourt in Rivers to Enugu, NBA should refund the sum given for the hosting rights.
However, the legal body responded that the money was a “gift” to the association and not payment for the hosting rights of the conference.
