Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike , says Nigeria was "practically dead" before President Bola Tinubu...
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, says Nigeria was "practically dead" before President Bola Tinubu assumed office, insisting that the country is only beginning its recovery due to bold decisions taken by the current administration.
Wike stated this on Sunday during a thanksgiving service at Saint James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, in celebration of the commissioning of 16 new FCT projects.
“The country was dead. It takes hard decisions to bring it back to life. After just two years of a country that had been run down, we expect a miracle worker? It doesn’t work like that,” Wike said.
He noted that while Nigeria still faces challenges, the President is "laying the foundation" for national recovery and stability.
Wike to the Church: Don’t Repeat 2023 Mistakes
Wike cautioned Christian leaders and the Church against allowing sentimental attachments to guide their political choices ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Let me address the Church – we nearly made the worst mistake in 2023,” he said.
“Some of you had sympathy for someone you don’t even know, saying Peter Obi was going to become president. President where?!”
He warned religious communities to be vigilant and engage politicians critically rather than being misled by propaganda.
“Ask us questions – we are politicians. Be careful what we tell you. If you want to understand what’s really going on, call us. Don’t let people use propaganda to blackmail you.”
Wike Slams Peter Obi Over Democratic Credentials
Taking a swipe at the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Wike accused him of failing democratic tests during his time as Anambra State governor.
“For eight years, he was governor. He never conducted local government elections. Never. He was the governor and also the chairman of all local governments. And you call that democracy?”
“Back then, Nigerians were not angry. Now you say democracy isn’t working – but it worked when he was running everything alone?”
On Revenue Mismanagement at Abuja Conference Centre
Wike also revealed details about what he called financial mismanagement at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, saying it was grossly underutilized under previous operators.
“Some people were paying the government just ₦50 million a year to run that place. After we shut it down and renovated it, we made over ₦700 million in just three weeks.”
He criticized those who previously mismanaged public assets but now parade themselves as saviours of the country.
“These same people now say they want to rescue Nigeria. That’s what they want – when you resist them, they try to smear your image.”
"Ask What We Did With Power" – Wike
The FCT minister challenged critics to evaluate what leaders did with power when they had the opportunity.
“People who were in office for eight, even 20 years, had the chance to develop their states but didn’t. Now they say Nigerians are angry. When I say I want to rescue Nigeria, ask me what I did as governor of Rivers State.”
“I can say, ‘Yes, I did this and that.’ And now as FCT Minister, I’m doing this and that.”
Wike dismissed criticisms about current national issues like insecurity and fuel subsidy, saying they preceded Tinubu’s administration.
“Were the train bombings to Kaduna under Tinubu’s watch? No. Was he president during the oil subsidy scam? No. But now someone has said, ‘Enough is enough.’”
He concluded by citing how much better state allocations are under Tinubu.
“When I was governor, my state never got more than ₦14 billion per month. Today, some states are getting over ₦50 billion monthly.”
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