Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has reaffirmed his unwavering support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, citing visible progress and reforms as the reason he joined the current administration.
Speaking at a thanksgiving service held at St. James' Church, Asokoro, under the Diocese of Abuja (Anglican Communion), Wike declared that Tinubu’s leadership has proven effective in delivering the dividends of democracy, particularly in the FCT.
“Let me tell you, if the Tinubu government had not worked, I would not have supported it,” Wike said. “Everybody can attest to the changes Mr. President has introduced in the FCT.”
Wike praised Tinubu for removing the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which he described as a bottleneck that had previously stifled infrastructure development. According to the minister, this single policy shift has enabled a flurry of completed projects across the capital.
He said:
“Today, we can see the projects because we are no longer operating under the TSA.”
The thanksgiving service was held to celebrate the successful completion and inauguration of several infrastructure projects in the FCT under Tinubu’s administration. Wike used the opportunity to urge Nigerians, particularly the church, to remain prayerful and patient with the government, emphasizing that many of the country’s challenges were inherited and would require time and strategic actions to resolve.
ADC Coalition Slammed
Wike also criticized the coalition of opposition leaders under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), describing them as “people only interested in personal gain” who previously failed to deliver when they held power.
He questioned their sincerity in seeking to “rescue” Nigeria, pointing to past administrations that failed to provide meaningful infrastructure or progress.
“People had the opportunity to be in government for eight years, 20 years. They failed to develop their states. But now that they are out of office, they say Nigerians are angry,” he said.
He particularly referenced the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, calling out the former operators who paid just ₦50 million annually to the government.
“Within three weeks of renovations and new activities, we've generated over ₦700 million,” he revealed, contrasting it with the previous “shocking” deal.
‘Hard Decisions, Real Changes’
Wike stressed that the Tinubu administration is committed to long-term reforms that will reposition Nigeria globally. He admitted that the country still faces many challenges, but warned against expecting instant solutions.
“This country was dead. It takes hard decisions to revive it. You don’t fix a broken nation with a prayer alone. Governance is not magic—it’s work,” he added.
He called on the public to ask politicians real questions about their records rather than believe “propaganda” from those who failed while in office.
“Ask me what I did in Rivers State. Ask me what I’m doing in Abuja. The record is there,” Wike challenged.
In closing, Wike reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Tinubu and ensuring that Abuja becomes a modern, functional capital that Nigerians can be proud of.
