Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has expressed opposition to his People’s Democratic Party (PDP) zoning the 2027 presidential ticket to the North.
He spoke in his monthly live telecast media chat with a panel of six journalists at his official residence in Life Camp, Abuja on Monday, May 12, 2025.
The former Rivers State Governor also said rather than impairing the health of PDP, Nigeria’s leading opposition party, he was actually “building the PDP, not tearing it apart.”
Wike said: “In 2023, I told them, look, It is in our Constitution, it is in our tradition, when this people take Chairman, the other people take Presidential Candidate. Because of their selfish interests, they manipulated the system. They said NO, we shouldn’t do zoning now, hold on we will do zoning.
“Before we knew, some people have gone to buy form and we laughed. We said okay, you don’t want to do zoning. A Zone took Chairman, that Zone took Presidential Candidate, we say play, for peace to reign so we can have a voice, they go front and back, they go front and back.
“We told them, this front and back you are going, it will cost you something.
“They said forget, we have won the election.
“Who are they? Of course, arrogance came in. See where we are as a party now.
“And I told them, where are you zoning your Presidency for 2027? Where will you go? Some smart ones who have interests, said Noooo, it’s not yet time. How many times will you play this game and you think you are smart.
“You are going for National Convention, you want the South to come and produce the Chairman so that we won’t have Presidential Candidate in the South. Look, Nigeria today say the South is occupying the Presidency, why not as a Party come out today and say our Presidential Candidate for 2027 will come from the South? You don’t want to do that.
“You want to play the same game you played in 2023, it will backfire and when it backfires, you will say these people did this, these people did that. And I have told people this smartness don’t help you, come out now and let everybody know this is where we are heading to but playing this old game, it will not work. Not tomorrow, you say Wike Wike, Wike is telling you now, stop this your smartness, I will not agree.”
Threatens To Withhold Area Councils’ Allocation Over Teachers’ Strike
The Minister of the FCT disclosed plans to withhold 10 percent of the statutory allocation to the FCT Area Councils over the non-payment of minimum wage to primary school teachers in the FCT.
This decision, according to the Minister, is in response to the ongoing strike by the teachers due to the non-payment of the new minimum wage by the Area Councils. Barrister Wike expressed his disappointment over the situation, stating that it was very unfortunate that the primary school teachers have had to resort to strike to press for their entitlement.
The Minister said he engaged with the Council Chairmen upon the commencement of the issue to understand the reasons for their inability to pay, adding that he directed that funds should be released to them to facilitate the payment of the new minimum wage, describing the continued striking situation as embarrassing.
The Minister further emphasized his limitations in directly intervening in the affairs of the elected Area Council Chairmen but asserted his responsibility to protect the welfare of FCT residents, particularly the education of children. “I have limits; I cannot sack them because they are elected. Therefore, I have taken the step to withhold 10 percent of their Internally Generated Revenue (IGR)”.
He said a committee will be established to ensure that as funds are released, the teachers are paid directly.
Addressing concerns about contravening the autonomy of Local Government Areas, the Minister firmly stated, “Do you want me to fold our arms and allow our children to be at home because you want LGA autonomy? I have withheld 10 percent of their allocation to ensure that they do what is right”.
The Minister reaffirmed that funds had been previously released to the councils for the payment of the new minimum wage, but regretted that this directive was not complied with. He said he will ensure this money is paid directly to the teachers so that “our children can return to school.”
Unveils Infrastructure Plans for President’s Anniversary
Barrister Wike also outlined significant plans to commemorate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second year anniversary with the unveiling of several completed infrastructure projects. He revealed that he had briefed the President on the readiness of these projects, suggesting it would take two weeks to inaugurate them all.
The commissioning activities, according to the Minister, are scheduled to commence from May 29th and extend into June, with the specific dates to be determined by the President’s protocol.
Noting that the President may delegate some commissioning duties to the Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, and other key officials, the Minister expressed hope for the President’s physical presence at some of the inaugurations to foster a stronger connection with the populace.
Notable projects slated for commissioning, according to the Minister, include roads in Ketti, Takushara, A2 to Pai, Ushafa, and War College areas, spanning across four Area Councils.
The Minister also stated that numerous projects within the city will also be inaugurated, including the long-overdue renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC).
He described the ICC’s condition prior to the renovation as an “eyesore” and highlighted the President’s commitment to addressing such issues. The Minister added that a maintenance contract has been signed with Julius Berger, with costs to be covered by revenue generated by the fully commercialized facility. The Abuja Investment Company and the Minister will jointly oversee the ICC, with a focus on sustainability and preventing its deterioration.
Other city projects include the completion of the Arterial Road N5, N16, and the road leading to the new Court of Appeal division in Jabi.
