By Sarah NEGEDU
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed insinuations that he boycotted last week’s Council of State meeting at the Presidential Villa, describing the report as a deliberate attempt to stir political mischief and undermine the progress recorded in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of access roads in Sector Centre B, Daki Biyu District, Abuja, Wike said those pushing the narrative were threatened by the administration’s pace of delivery and had resorted to propaganda to distract attention from its achievements.
The minister, who has been leading series of flag-offs and commissioning across the FCT, said his absence from the meeting was officially communicated to President Bola Tinubu in advance, as he had other engagements already scheduled within the territory.
“Sometime last week Thursday, we had a flag off, and I told the Minister of State, FCT, to represent me at the Council of State meeting. I had already told Mr. President that I would not be available because of other engagements we had already put in place. So, the Honourable Minister of State represented the FCT in that meeting,” Wike clarified.
He cautioned against “unnecessary propaganda and blackmail,” insisting that he remained focused on delivering projects that reflect President Tinubu’s vision for a renewed capital city.
“I work for Mr President. Mr President’s judgment, as far as I’m concerned in this country, has always been how to put this country in the right perspective. Be focused. When you start delivering, the achievement will silence all critics,” he said.
Wike said the administration’s record of completed projects had already silenced detractors, noting that attention would soon shift from road infrastructure to education and other sectors.
The minister also credited the FCT’s development drive to the leadership of President Tinubu, saying it was the reason the administration had achieved visible results within a short period.
“I have always said, when you have the right leadership, you can achieve the expected results. Mr President, Bola Tinubu, has shown the right leadership. And that is why we are able to achieve. People are talking about the achievements we have made. It is because of the right leadership. When you have the right leadership, you get things right and you get things going,” he said.
He recalled the transformation of Daki Biyu District, which now houses major federal institutions such as the Police Service Commission and the Code of Conduct Tribunal, and revealed that the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal in the area would soon be inaugurated by the President.
Wike thanked the local contractor for delivering quality work and commended the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, for her support and cooperation.
“I’m happy that I have a minister of State who has been very supportive. It is not easy to have two ministers that work so closely and cooperatively. Without working together, you cannot achieve anything,” he said.
Moving forward, the Wike assured residents that more projects would be unveiled under the Tinubu administration, which he said was committed to delivering the true dividends of democracy.
“Next year, Mr President’s third-year anniversary, Nigerians will see what they have never seen before. Through Mr President, it will be a different narrative. You can see it coming,” he said.
