Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Nigeria was “practically dead” before President Bola Tinubu assumed office, urging Christian faithful to resist making what he described as a costly political mistake in 2027 similar to the one nearly made in the 2023 general elections.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at Saint James’ Anglican Church, Asokoro, Abuja, to mark the successful commissioning of 16 projects in the FCT, Wike acknowledged that the country still faces significant challenges but credited President Tinubu with taking “bold and necessary decisions” to set Nigeria on the path to recovery.
“The country was dead. It takes hard decisions to bring it back to life. We are aware that we have challenges. But after just two years of a country that had been run down, we expect a miracle worker?” Wike asked.
Church Cautioned Over 2027 Presidency
Addressing the congregation, Wike said the Church almost made a “fatal error” in 2023 by supporting candidates based on sentiment rather than track records.
“Let me use this opportunity to address the Church – we nearly made the worst mistake in 2023. We must be very careful this time around,” he warned.
“Some of you had sympathy for someone you don’t even know. That’s how you nearly made us make a mistake – saying Peter Obi was going to become president. President where?!”
Wike accused Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, of hypocrisy, questioning his democratic credentials and performance as a former governor of Anambra State.
“For eight years, he was governor. He never conducted local government elections. Never. And you call that democracy? He was the governor and also the chairman of all the local governments,” he said.
On Tinubu’s Leadership and FCT Reforms
Defending President Tinubu’s performance so far, Wike said past administrations left behind monumental problems, including oil subsidy fraud, insecurity, and corruption, which the current government is now confronting.
He also cited the turnaround of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre in Abuja as a symbol of progress under his watch:
“Some people were running the Conference Centre and paying the government just ₦50 million annually. In just three weeks after renovation, we’ve generated over ₦700 million. Yet those people now say they want to rescue Nigeria.”
The FCT Minister noted that during his time as Governor of Rivers State, his administration managed with monthly allocations under ₦14 billion, while many states today receive over ₦50 billion, yet fail to deliver meaningful progress.
“Ask me what I did when I had the opportunity. I can say, ‘Yes, I did this and that.’ And now, as FCT Minister, I am doing this and that,” Wike added.
“Pray, Don’t Be Deceived” — Wike to Christians
Calling for prayers and continued patience, Wike appealed to the Church not to fall for political propaganda as 2027 draws closer.
“All I ask of the Church is to be patient and continue to pray for Mr. President and this administration. Forget those who had the chance to fix Nigeria and failed. They won’t get that chance again.”
