The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he deliberately avoided last week’s Council of State meeting because his preferred candidate for the position of Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman was overlooked.
Mr Wike made the clarification on Tuesday whilst commissioning Access Roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja, describing the allegations as baseless propaganda aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
The minister explained that he had informed President Bola Tinubu in advance of his inability to attend the Thursday gathering, instructing the Minister of State, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, to represent the FCT at the crucial meeting where Prof Joash Amupitan was nominated as INEC Chairman.
“Sometime last week, Thursday, we had a flag off. And I told the Minister of State, FCT, to represent me at the Council of State meeting. I had already told Mr President that I would not be available because of other engagements we had already put in place,” Mr Wike said.
“That is why we have to be careful when people carry unnecessary propaganda and blackmail. But in spite of those things, be focused; you will achieve your results. They said I did not attend because I was not happy that my own nominee was not taken.”
The Council of State meeting held on Thursday, 9th October 2025, where Prof Amupitan received the nomination for INEC Chairman, pending Senate confirmation.
Reports had emerged on Sahara Reporters, an online news platform, alleging growing tensions between Mr Wike and President Tinubu, suggesting the minister had boycotted the meeting and attempted to persuade other heads of state to do likewise.
The publication further claimed that Mr Wike had campaigned for Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, a Court of Appeal justice, to secure the INEC chairman position.
However, the FCT minister rejected these assertions, emphasising his loyalty to President Tinubu and pointing to the administration’s record of infrastructure delivery in the capital territory as evidence of their effective working relationship.
“I work for Mr President. Mr President’s judgement, as far as I’m concerned, in this country has always been how to put this country in the right perspective. Be focused. When you start delivering, the achievement will silence all critics. Today they have nothing again to say,” he stated.
Mr Wike attributed the FCT Administration’s successes to what he described as exemplary leadership from the President, noting that proper guidance from the top ensures desired results.
“I have always said, when you have the right leadership, you can achieve the expected results. Mr President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has shown the right leadership. People are talking about the achievements we have made. It is because we have the right leadership. When you have the right leadership, you get things right,” the minister added.
