President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that he jokingly warned Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, about the political implications of his policies, stating that he could lose his job if they did not align with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu made the remarks at the Presidential Villa in Abuja when Wike led a delegation of prominent FCT residents on a Sallah homage to mark the end of Ramadan fasting and Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.
The President recounted how Wike approached him with a request to exempt the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to enable more financial flexibility for infrastructure development.
“I remember the day Nyesom Wike came to me and said, ‘Please, take us out of this problem of Treasury Single Account (TSA) so that I can do more work and achieve more,’” Tinubu stated.
He explained that he then challenged Wike on the potential political consequences of such a move.
“And he presented it, and I threw in my own political guide: ‘Would that give me any opportunity for my party (APC) to win the election in FCT?’
“I said, ‘I know where you are coming from, your own party (PDP) or my party. If this thing goes too much in your own favour, you will lose your job.’ Then he said, ‘Okay, we settle that, Oga.’”
President Tinubu praised Wike for his contributions to transforming the FCT, particularly in infrastructure, health, and education.
“He came up with a lot of good ideas to liberate the bureaucracy, bring forward-looking, progressive thinking to the administration, and provide opportunities for many who would have been hindered by property rights,” Tinubu noted.
The President highlighted several of Wike’s achievements, including:
- Revitalizing the Vice-President’s residence, which had been abandoned for years.
- Rehabilitating health centers and improving healthcare services in the FCT.
- Upgrading school infrastructure and enhancing teacher welfare programs.
“Thank you, Wike,” Tinubu concluded, recognizing the minister’s efforts.
The President’s comments highlight the intersection of governance and political strategy, emphasizing the need for policy alignment with party objectives.
While Wike, a key member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), insists that his focus remains on FCT development, his collaboration with the APC-led administration continues to generate debate within opposition circles.
