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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, September 18, issued a robust response to activist and African Action Congress presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore’s recent tweet labelling President Bola Tinubu a “criminal”.
Sowore, on August 25, accused President Tinubu of dishonesty during his official visit to Brazil, declaring in a tweet: “This criminal @officialpbat actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
The Department of State Services (DSS) swiftly filed criminal charges against Sowore for defamation and requested social media platforms X and Meta to remove the tweet, citing threats to national security. Sowore, however, refused to comply, accusing the DSS of attempting to silence dissent.
Speaking on Thursday at the flag-off ceremony for the construction of Arterial Road N1 from Wuye to Ring Road II, Wike remarked that Sowore was fortunate to be dealing with a president who respects the rule of law. “This is a country where somebody on social media will say Mr President is a criminal; nothing will happen. You say all kinds of things you want to say, but nothing will happen,” Wike stated, adding a comparison with American political culture.
“No matter how you see people criticise Trump, have you ever seen any American citizen on social media or in public say our President is a criminal? Have you heard that? But here, anyone can wake up and abuse the President, and we are happy,” he said.
Wike cautioned Sowore and others that such leniency relied on the character of the President. “You are lucky you have a President who believes in the rule of law. Continue to be lucky. There are those you will meet that you won’t be lucky again,” he warned.
Addressing the ongoing indefinite strike by the FCT Chapter of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), citing unpaid salaries, manpower shortages, and backlogged allowances as their grievances, the minister stressed that the administration had allocated ₦25 billion specifically for healthcare in the 2025 capital budget recently passed by the National Assembly.
Touching on the demands for allowance payments and doctor recruitment, Wike said: “They’ve gotten a waiver; what’s my own? Go and employ them. I am not a doctor… go ahead and employ them.” He urged the striking doctors to exercise patience as payments and recruitment follow established procedures.
The minister strongly defended the administration’s efforts: “We lost our Head of Service; we just appointed an acting Head of Service. When they say allowances are owed, go and check how much they’re talking about.” He stressed that demonstrations are allowed but vowed not to be blackmailed into premature decisions.
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“They will pay, but know that everything has a procedure. But to tell me you will demonstrate, you will block the road—I told the Director of SSS, allow them to demonstrate, but nobody can stop me from holding this occasion today, not one,” Wike declared.
Wike formally flagged off the construction of the Arterial Road N1 linking Wuye District with Ring Road II, describing the project as a public good beyond any individual’s ownership.
“This road is not my road, it’s not Wike’s road, it’s not Tinubu’s road. It is a road that will open up economic activities and improve the welfare of the people here,” he said, adding that the development would elevate Abuja to compete globally.
He noted that the new road would boost socio-economic activity and improve residents’ living conditions, expressing confidence that the contractor, Messrs Arab Contractors Nigeria Limited, having shown their capacity in the ongoing Federal Highway 105 project from Airport Expressway to Kuje, would also complete the work on time.
Rejecting criticism and politically motivated blackmail, Wike noted the culture of protest worldwide, including the United Kingdom’s demonstrations during Donald Trump’s visit. “I have never seen a country where we thrive on blackmail,” he remarked, reaffirming his commitment to the road project despite opposition.
The ceremony also saw commendations from Mrs Nancy Sabanti Nathan, Acting Head of Service of the FCTA, who praised Wike’s leadership and President Tinubu’s strategic focus on modernising Abuja.
Responding to circulating rumours about his health, Wike gave a defiant statement during the event: “Those wishing me dead will die before me. I will sign the condolences. It is my prayer.” He stressed that despite the gruelling demands of his office, he remains dedicated and works relentlessly, often taking files along on travels without taking holidays.
The minister admonished public servants to balance work with self-care, noting the continuity of governance beyond any individual’s tenure.
