Lt Yerima: Call for Wike's sack is uncalled for

From Idu Jude, Abuja

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon Stephen Abraham Ajiya, has appealed to those calling for the head of the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike, after an incident with a soldier in Abuja, to properly weigh the options.

He cautioned that this set of people has forgotten so soon the other side of the man who has done well to transform Nigeria’s capital city within a few years of his appointment.

Hon Ajiya stated exclusively to *The Sun* that the incident that took place between the minister and the military personnel can be handled amicably without a call for his sack by fellow cabinet ministers from the defence ministry.

He highlighted that any passionate and dedicated servant could have done the same to ensure that certain others are carried out without regard for sacred cows.

“We all can bear witness to how the minister does his job, which earned him the title ‘Mr Project’; it is all about the passion for the job. It is all about dedication to duty. We have seen many who operated from their offices for eight years, without any tangible work done.

“Nigerians shouldn’t behave like the Jews who wanted Jesus crucified a few hours after they shouted Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna at their highest. This is the same Wike we praised for the dogged work he has done, contrary to his predecessors.”

He, however, suggested that issues relating to illegal occupation of government lands should be handled seriously to avoid incidents like this. “We should not have secured cows in our swill systems. We will be able to handle all cases equally. And if what the minister said is true, then we should as well handle it well, if not many others will toe the same corrupt way of obtaining properties.”

Meanwhile, Hon Ajiya has called on the Presidency and the APC party hierarchy to wade in and stop the Ministers of Defence who have declared war against the FCT Minister.

He insisted that the problem, if not solved properly and urgently, may bring about infighting and division among the cabinet ministers. “I think that Mr President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should, as a matter of urgency, caution his ministers from attacking each other, and that if anybody has observations to make, they must pass through the Presidency, and they should not wash their dirty hands in public. And this is not good for the ruling party,” he said.