by Nigerian News24 Correspondents
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has clarified why he was absent from the recent Council of State meeting where Prof. Joash Amupitan was nominated as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of the Access Roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja, Wike explained that he had instructed the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to represent him at the meeting as he had prior official commitments.
He dismissed media reports claiming he deliberately boycotted the meeting because his preferred nominee for the INEC chairmanship was overlooked, describing such stories as “unnecessary propaganda and blackmail.”
“Sometime last week, Thursday, we had a flag-off, and I told the Minister of State to represent me at the Council of State meeting,” Wike said. “I had already informed Mr. President that I would not be available due to earlier engagements. So, it’s wrong for anyone to claim that I refused to attend because my nominee wasn’t picked.”
His clarification followed reports by Sahara Reporters alleging a widening rift between Wike and President Bola Tinubu, and that Wike had encouraged others to boycott the meeting while lobbying for Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Court of Appeal to be appointed as INEC Chairman.
Refuting the claims, Wike reaffirmed his loyalty to President Tinubu, noting that his ongoing projects and performance in the FCT were a testament to their productive working relationship.
“I work for Mr. President. His vision is to reposition this country, and I’m fully aligned with that. When you deliver results, your achievements speak louder than propaganda. Today, the critics have nothing more to say,” he stated.
Wike further praised President Tinubu’s leadership style, crediting it for the successes recorded in the FCT.
“When you have the right leadership, you get the right results,” he added. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has provided that leadership, and that’s why people are talking about our achievements in the FCT.”