By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The FCT Minister, Barr Nysome Wike has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for pulling the country out of the dead woods of collapse when he took over the leadership of government.
Wike stated this on Sunday during the Thanksgiving service with some friends and well wishers at the Saint James’ Anglican Church in Asokoro, Abuja, on the successful completion of the 17 days of project commissioning across the FCT.
The minister admitted that even though the country is experiencing some challenges, the coming of President Tinubu who has taken off some weight by taking some hard decisions, for some safety The minister used the occasion to advise the Christian faithful against further mistakes of choosing the wrong president in the 2027 election, adding that the Church should avoid the mistakes that happened in 2023 as a result of unnessary sentimental attachments.
The minister also criticized the 2023 Labour Party LP presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi for acting the opposite of the democratic values that he preaches.
Meanwhile, the minister blamed past leaders for the problems the country is experiencing, adding that Nigerians are angry with those failed leaders and not with Tinubu’s administration.
He slamed those who call themselves the “rescue mission, noting that they are rescuing their personal interests and not for the people.
According to him, the opposition’s political zigzag manner over the years shows blatant public distrust.
“How can Nigerians not be angry with you? In 1999, you were in another party, in 2006, you moved to another party, and in 2014, you moved to another party. In 2019, you moved back to another party. Now, in 2025, you are moving to another party. To rescue who? You want to rescue your stomach. It’s not Nigeria
want to rescue.”
He noted how past leaders failed to make any significant impact while in office, as well as neglecting issues in their states.
He decried, “People had the opportunity to be in government for several years; people had the opportunity to bring infrastructure to their states; they didn’t do it. At that time, Nigerians were not angry. It is now that they are not in office that Nigerians are angry.”
The minister recounted challenges inherited by the Tinubu- ledadministration, such as insecurity, poor infrastructure, fuel subsidy removal, bombings, and massive indebtedness, as part of the burdens left by previous administrations.
However, he emphasized that the FCT is not yet where it should be, but that it is certainly not where it was two years ago, pointing out that residents were already seeing the changes.
“Yes, we can not say we have entirely changed Abuja, but you can see the processes and the steps being taken to put Abuja where it is supposed to be.”
“The country was dead; it would take hard decisions to be made.”
Wike urged Nigerians to be patient with the current administration, pleading that they should not fall for the cheap propaganda peddled by some past leaders who occupied, significant positions but failed to effect meaningful and tangible transformation.
“All I plead to the church is just to be patient and continue to pray for Mr. President, for the administration. Forget about people who have lost their chances to put Nigeria right. They won’t have the chance again,” Wike reaffirmed.
Among several dignitaries, who joined the FCT minister in the Thanksgiving service, were the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo; Area Council Chairmen; Chairman, Senate Committee on FCT Area Councils and Ancillary Matters, Senator David Jimkuta; and Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Martins Amaehule.
Also, were former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu; former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom; former Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi; Senator Philip Aduda; Executive Secretary of the FCDA, Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda and other top FCTA officials.
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