- Charges Wike to clinch Abuja in 2027 with good works
- Explains why he threatened to fire minister
President Bola Tinubu, yesterday, explained that his administration removed the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to expedite development and enhance residents’ participation in governance.
The President also poured encomia on the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his performance, expressing the hope that such good works would translate to victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
Tinubu also explained why he threatened to sack Wike over development projects in Abuja and their impact on his political success in 2027.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Tinubu received FCT residents led by the Minister on Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, saying the bureaucracy associated with the TSA was hampering infrastructure growth in the capital city and had to be reviewed for impact and progress.
He highlighted that freeing the FCT from TSA restrictions swiftly catalysed infrastructure improvements, enhanced healthcare services and increased security measures.
Tinubu stated: “I remember the day the FCT Minister came to meet me, and he said, ‘Please take us out of the problem of the TSA, so that I can do more work and achieve more.’ I said, ‘Show me what you are about to do,’ and he presented his thinking and belief.
“Everything started changing rapidly. I started seeing the opening up of the rural areas, the resuscitation of abandoned projects and the completion of the Vice President’s official residence that had been abandoned for years. The FCT rehabilitated health care centres, upgraded facilities for schoolchildren, and provided furniture.”
He lauded the FCT Minister for proving that liberation from the bureaucracy was necessary and for restructuring the FCT public service so that civil servants could aspire to higher positions and provide leadership.
“We wouldn’t have been able to open our mouths to celebrate, if not because of the progressive ideas you brought to FCT. We can now celebrate the innovative ideas brought to the FCT,” Tinubu said.
The FCT minister described the visit as historic, saying, “It is the first time the FCT residents can extend our greetings and best wishes to you in person during this blessed period. We are genuinely delighted to be here.”
Pledging loyalty to the President and commitment to facilitating the capital city’s development, the minister assured that the FCT under his supervision would witness the completion of many projects.
Tinubu described the FCT minister as ‘Mr Infrastructure’ and listed some of the various initiatives and projects executed by the administration under the leadership of Wike, stressing that they translated to better lives for Abuja residents.
While appreciating the calibre of persons in the delegation, Tinubu said: “I could see the diversity of men and women here. I must thank the Minister of FCT. It’s worth it. It is nothing other than a privilege to be the landlord of every one of us in Abuja
The President recalled that his conversation with Wike on the TSA would have cost the former governor of Rivers State his job as Abuja landlord.
“The day Wike came to me and said, ‘Please, take us out of this problem of TSA so that I can do more work and achieve more.’ Then I said, ‘Okay, tell me what you’re about to do.’ And he presented it. I threw in my political guide. ‘Would that give me any opportunity for my party to win the election in FCT?’ I said ‘I know where you are coming from: your party or my party. If this thing goes too much in your favour, you will lose your job.’ Then he said, ‘Okay, we settle that, oga’.”
Guardian
