The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has claimed that Nigeria was in a near-collapse state before President Bola Tinubu came into power.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at St. James’ Anglican Church in Asokoro, Abuja, on Sunday, Wike praised Tinubu’s leadership for making tough but necessary decisions to revive the country.
“The country was dead. It takes hard decisions to bring it back to life. We know there are still challenges, but do we expect miracles in just two years? Governance isn’t like prayer where you say, ‘Be healed,’ and it happens instantly.”
The service marked a celebration of the successful commissioning of 16 infrastructure projects in Abuja under Wike’s watch as FCT Minister. He used the occasion to caution Christian leaders and worshippers against repeating what he described as a near-costly mistake in the 2023 elections.
“We almost made a terrible mistake in 2023,” he warned. “The Church must be careful this time. Many were swayed by emotions and propaganda. Ask us questions. We’re politicians. Don’t let anyone blackmail you with sentiment.”
Wike criticised former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, questioning his democratic credentials.
“Some of you supported someone you didn’t even know well,” he said. “Peter Obi never conducted local government elections throughout his eight years as governor. He ran the councils by himself. And you call that democracy? Nobody asked questions then.”
Turning to the recent N39 billion renovation of the Abuja International Conference Centre—now renamed after President Tinubu—Wike defended the investment and attacked past managers of the facility.
“People used to pay the government just N50 million a year for that place,” he revealed. “Now, in just three weeks post-renovation, we’ve generated over N700 million. And these same people now claim they want to rescue Nigeria?”
Wike argued that those who failed to deliver when they had power should not be trusted again.
“People were governors for eight or more years and did nothing. Now that they’re out of office, they claim Nigerians are angry. If I say I want to rescue Nigeria, ask me what I did in Rivers State. I can point to my achievements—and I’m doing the same here in the FCT.”
Wike dismisses critics
He further dismissed criticisms that the Tinubu administration is responsible for all the country’s woes.
“Were trains being bombed under Tinubu? No. Was the fuel subsidy racket his doing? No. But now someone says, ‘Enough is enough,’ and suddenly, the people benefitting from the old system are shouting.”
Wike appealed to the Church to stay prayerful and supportive of the Tinubu administration.
“All I ask is for the Church to be patient and continue praying for the President. Forget those who had the opportunity and failed. They won’t get another shot.”
