By Muhammad Mamman
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified that his absence from the recent Council of State meeting was with the express permission of President Bola Tinubu.
Wike made the clarification on Monday during the commissioning of access roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja, following reports suggesting that he deliberately boycotted the meeting over the appointment of Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Dismissing the reports as “false and mischievous,” the minister explained that he had informed President Tinubu ahead of time about his unavailability due to prior official commitments.
“On Thursday, we had a flag-off, and I informed 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 scheduled. The Honourable Minister of State represented the FCT in that meeting,” Wike said.
He cautioned against what he described as “unnecessary propaganda and blackmail,” urging Nigerians to remain focused on results rather than rumours.
“They said I did not attend because I was not happy that my nominee was not taken. That’s not true. Be focused. When you start delivering results, your achievements will silence the critics. Today, they have nothing else to say,” he added.
Wike reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu, commending his leadership for driving progress in the FCT and across the nation.
“I work for Mr President. His judgment, in my view, is always about putting this country on the right path. When you have the right leadership, you achieve the right results. The progress we’ve made in the FCT is because of President Tinubu’s clear direction and leadership,” the minister stated.
He concluded by calling for unity and continued commitment to development, noting that effective leadership remains the foundation for national progress.
