By Yakubu Dati
A few weeks ago, a group of people who thought they could pull a fast one on Nigerians by painting what is white to black started a feeble campaign with the slogan ‘Wike must go!’ But like every other ridiculous adventure without a destination, they have, within the few days it lasted, failed in their politically motivated campaigns. All of a sudden, political jobbers using President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s intervention in the Rivers State crisis took on the garb of activists to demand the sack of the FCT minister Nyesom Wike. Their bid to confuse the narratives by latching onto falsehood to demand the FCT minister’s removal hit a brick wall as more people became aware that the call was only a ploy to shoot at the Tinubu presidency.
Sim Fubara, the suspended governor, had demolished the House of Assembly and used three of the thirty-three members to pass a budget, approve commissioner nominees and illegally conduct local government elections, amongst other infractions on democracy and rule of law.
Not only that, Fubara had called for anarchy and threatened to unleash terror on national assets, and the assets were attacked.
In spite of the Supreme Court judgement which clearly declared that there is no government in Rivers State, he arrogantly continued his projects and programmes in flagrant disrespect to the highest court in the land, thereby committing serious misconduct and grave impeachment offences.
The declaration of a state of emergency was, in fact, a saving grace even for him who should have been impeached, and it was in order to forestall the imminent total breakdown of law and order that President Tinubu had to act.
In the exercise of his powers as enshrined in the Constitution, he acted with courage, and the proclamation has been ratified by both chambers of the National Assembly, giving it a legal teeth.
In line with the statutes, Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired Vice Admiral, has resumed cleaning the mess by swiftly mobilising critical stakeholders.
However, rather than eschew acts that would further inflame passions, some political opportunists are trying to point accusing fingers at the FCT Minister with tales by moonlight; vexatious comments, which are spurious, are meant to cause disaffection for the administrator and derail his mission.
Calling for the sack of the FCT minister displays crass ignorance, as both Gov Fubara and the members of the House of Assembly owe their victory at the polls to the same man, Nyesom Wike.
But the real motive of these opposition elements has been exposed. It is to weaken the President Tinubu administration by hoodwinking the gullible into believing that Wike is a liability to his administration rather than the asset he has proven to be and which the President openly acknowledged during the presidential media chat.
The opposition knows that Wike is a star performer, so the aim is to make him the target of campaigns of calumny to paint him in a bad light. But even his most ardent critics have given kudos to the FCT minister for his tremendous commitment to development and penchant for positive transformation.
His traducers concede that Wike has scored an excellent pass mark in his primary responsibility at the FCT, as he has exceeded all expectations by achieving in less than two years what others could not venture in eight years. This is not the first time. As governor of Rivers State, Wike proved his mettle for infrastructural development, and as FCT minister, he has been implementing several initiatives in line with the president’s agenda of renewed hope. He prioritised the completion of unfinished projects such as the Abuja Rail Mass Transit system, the Inner, Southern, and Outer Motorways, and the Central Area. The construction of rural roads totalling over 42.2 kilometres across the six area councils is decongesting the city and stimulating rural development. He has enhanced overall security operations by supporting security agencies and vigilante groups with operational vehicles and motorcycles equipped with modern communication gadgets and other logistics.
Through innovative measures like enforcing the payment of outstanding ground rents and other taxes, the FCT’s IGR recorded a significant boost, with collections reaching N126.54 billion between January and June 2024, representing a 53.5% increase from the previous year. The administration rehabilitated several primary healthcare centres, equipped with modern facilities, and launched the Abuja University Teaching Hospital, enhancing medical education and research. Additionally, the “Renewed Hope Free Medical Outreach” was introduced to address maternal and infant mortality rates, offering free healthcare services to pregnant and nursing mothers. Wike’s tenure has also seen the renovation of multiple schools and the addition of new classrooms, laboratories, and libraries. He has introduced governance reforms by the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, allowing for career progression to the apex as Head of Civil Service. These initiatives reflect Wike’s commitment to transforming the FCT through infrastructural development, financial reforms, enhanced public services and strengthened governance structures.
The unholy union of hitherto sworn political enemies and strange bedfellows ganging up to make political capital out of courageous action by the president to save lives and restore order is therefore an unnecessary distraction that should be discountenanced.
YakubuDati is the former Commissioner in Plateau State
