From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has called rumours of his collapse and overseas treatment “baseless and diversionary”.
The minister spoke to reporters in Abuja on Thursday after checking ongoing infrastructure projects set for commissioning in May to mark President Bola Tinubu’s second year in office.
Wike denied the claims in a statement from his Press Director, Anthony Ogunleye. He blamed political foes for spreading the rumours to shift focus from a plot to attack national assets, like the Rivers State House of Assembly complex, as revealed by a former Rivers State Head of Service.
He said, “What happened was that the former Head of Service of Rivers State government came out to let the public know what was going on about a plan to bomb the House of Assembly complex and attack national assets. To divert the attention of people from focusing on that, they had to bring up rumours that I had been flown overseas. There was never a time I collapsed; there was never a time anybody took me overseas.”
Wike stressed he’s focused on delivering good governance in the FCT, not on distractions. He pointed to his recent public appearances—like attending the President’s Iftar and leading Abuja residents for Sallah homage—as proof of his good health.
“You see me every day. The day Mr. President broke Iftar during his birthday, I was there. The next day, I led Abuja residents to pay Sallah homage. I see so many stories online; this is politics. Those things don’t bother us. We are not distracted. We are focused on our jobs,” he said.
He thanked Nigerians for their concern but warned against wishing harm on others. “I thank Nigerians for showing concern, but people should not wish their fellow human beings such a thing to happen. We know that we will die one day; nobody will remain in this world forever, but it’s only God who determines the day you will die. No human being can say you will die today or tomorrow. So, don’t bother yourself; I’m very agile, and I can assure you that I will write the condolence letters for those peddling these rumours,” he added.
On the projects, Wike was pleased with the International Conference Centre (ICC) renovation, the Arterial Road N16 in Gishiri with its interchange to Maitama and Katampe, and the Judges’ Quarters with its access roads in Katampe.
“We were at the International Conference Centre, where much work has been done. They are keeping to the time that they have given, and they are also doing a good quality job. We’ve gone to Gishiri and the roads leading to the Justice Quarters. I’m very much impressed with the good jobs and the contractors handling these projects. You can attest to the fact that this is a quality job being carried out,” he said.
He praised contractors like Julius Berger and CGC for sticking to deadlines. With Tinubu’s backing, funding isn’t an issue, he noted. Wike urged taxpayers to pay up, promising they’ll see results. “All we will say is that those who are supposed to pay their taxes should pay their taxes and ask us what we are doing with taxpayers’ money. They can see what we are doing with taxpayers’ money,” he said.