From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
During a Monday media chat, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, revealed his unapologetic approach to governance in the city, emphasising his commitment to accountability and development—even if it means challenging powerful interests.
Wike proudly differentiated his administration from its predecessors by highlighting his willingness to “step on the toes of big men” to achieve results. “I take joy in stepping on the toes of big men, and that is why we are getting results. I don’t care,” he said, adding that his only accountability is to the President and the Nigerian people.
He condemned excuses based on ethnicity, religion, or personal connections, insisting that impunity and unwillingness to adhere to the rules will destroy progress.
He announced that President Bola Tinubu will be commissioning a series of projects executed under his administration, starting Monday, June 9, 2025. The commissioning will span 19 days, featuring the President himself or his representatives, such as the Vice President, Senate President, and Speaker, at various events. He said the commissioning kicks off with the remodelled International Conference Centre, followed by impactful project unveilings. Wike also mentioned plans to flag off additional projects in preparation for the President’s third year in office.
Addressing concerns about financial management, Wike stressed that all funds allocated to the FCT are deposited in commercial banks, not the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This allows the FCT to borrow from commercial banks, tying borrowing strictly to Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He credited President Tinubu’s policies for preventing financial chaos, noting that the removal of the FCT administration from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) was a blessing.
On accountability mechanisms, Wike explained that project approvals follow strict thresholds, and he personally conducts on-the-spot inspections to verify contractors’ claims regarding quality and delivery. He acknowledged that some projects were awarded before his tenure but insisted on rigorous oversight.
Speaking on his tough stance on ground rent and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) collection, he said he does not shy away from confronting wealthy defaulters in ground rent payments. Citing the example of Bode George, a prominent political figure owing ground rent, Wike revealed that in just three days, he signed 1,500 Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) and expects all beneficiaries to pay their dues annually without excuses.
He criticised attitudes rooted in religion and ethnicity that hinder progress, lamenting that between 2010 and 2015, when Bala Mohammed was Minister of the FCT, no ground rent was collected. Wike warned that such complacency threatens Nigeria’s development and dismissed claims that the ruling party would be politically damaged by his strict policies, noting that those complaining are not poor and that the annual ground rent is N400,000.
The minister also stressed that the government alone cannot provide housing; infrastructure is key to attracting private investors. “Every government must provide infrastructure before investors will come,” he stated, underscoring the importance of roads and other facilities in economic development.