President Bola Tinubu has charged the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to ensure that the All Progressives Congress secures victory in the 2027 FCT elections.
This directive was given during a visit on Sunday when Wike led a delegation of prominent FCT residents to the State House in Abuja for a traditional Sallah homage marking the end of Ramadan and Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
Tinubu praised Wike for his performance as the FCT Minister, describing him as “Mr. Infrastructure” due to his significant contributions to improving the city. The President highlighted the various projects initiated by Wike, emphasizing how these efforts have enhanced the lives of Abuja residents.
“We must thank the Honorable 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, Federal Capital Territory,” Tinubu said. He acknowledged the positive changes brought by Wike, especially his forward-thinking ideas that helped improve bureaucracy and infrastructure despite limited resources.
President Tinubu further recounted a conversation with Wike about addressing the challenges posed by the Treasury Single Account (TSA), which allowed for more flexibility in funding key projects. He noted that the opening of rural areas, rehabilitation of health centers, and completion of abandoned projects were among the notable achievements in the capital under Wike’s leadership.
However, despite his praise, Tinubu stressed that Wike, who is still officially a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), must ensure APC triumphs in the 2027 FCT elections. “Would that give me any opportunity for my party (APC) to win the election in FCT?” Tinubu asked, before humorously adding, “If this thing goes too much in your own favour, you will lose your job.”
The President expressed confidence that Wike’s contributions to the FCT would be key to the APC’s future success, stating that the progress achieved in the capital under Wike’s leadership was a testament to the power of unity and diversity. “Nyesom Wike is not from the North. He’s from the southern part of Nigeria, and his ability to work in the center of the northern part of Nigeria is yielding fruits. That is a very good reflection of our diversity that we must use for our prosperity,” Tinubu remarked.
Tinubu concluded by emphasizing the importance of leadership that serves the people with integrity and righteousness, urging all political leaders to act in accordance with Allah’s teachings.
In response, Wike expressed gratitude for the President’s praise, particularly for being recognized as “Mr. Infrastructure.” He said, “I feel very happy that my boss has confidence in me. If your boss, in the public, says that you are doing well, that, of course, is an encouragement for you to continue doing the job that you’ve been assigned.”
Wike assured the President that he would continue to work towards the betterment of Abuja, stating, “We’re happy to be identified in this administration and we’ll continue to do what Abuja people will be happy with. So I’m happy each time Mr. President talks about us and tries to say the little we have done, that means that he’s watching and we will not disappoint him.”
