Wike: The New Sheriff in FCT

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory is taking new shape with the arrival of the leader of the Defunct PDP G-5, Nyesom Wike, as Minister


The appointment of Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, former Rivers State Governor, as minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) came with mixed feelings to many, especially as the position has been majorly occupied by people from northern extraction save for military regime when it was occupied by Gen. Jeremiah Useni (rtd).

A cursory look at the list of appointees for the position indicated that Mr. Mobolaji Ajose Adeogun from Isale-Eko, Lagos State served as the Administrative Secretary of the newly created Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) between 1976 and 1979, over 44 years ago. His appointment as the new Sheriff of the federal capital territory jolted and upset some while several others celebrated it.

The reactions vary from interest to interest. Keen observation of Nigerian political space reveals that a Wike, may upset the apple chart for some elite who employ impunity and brigandage in their approach to matters that concern the FCT as the new minister is not given to theatricals. He is expected to be bold as usual and restore the peace, dignity and ecstatic of Africa’s pride. Little wonder, there were jubilations as women and other groups adored entrance to the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA) to welcome the former governor on his resumption as minister.

With the eyes of the entire country and the international community fixed on it, the FCT is no doubt a far more complex entity to administer than the oil rich Rivers State. This is because aside being the FCT, Abuja’s administration is complex with varying administrative departments such as the FCTA, FCDA, STDA, six Area Councils – all of which are quasi-autonomous and yet answerable to the FCT minister as the Chief Executive Officer. Wike, who earned himself the title of Mr. Project as Rivers State Governor, is expected to bring his swag into his new portfolio.

Already, he has hit the ground running as he has since embarked on inspection of abandoned and uncompleted projects across the FCT. He has promised to rid the federal capital city of the sight of grazing cattle. He has since told the herders to go to the satellite towns as the flowers and grasses in the city centre are not for grazing but for beautification. He has also told developers and property owners to adhere strictly to the plan while those who violated the law should be ready to have their property demolished.

Due to his antecedent as workaholic, FCT residents have been anxious and apprehensive with rumour of alleged planned massive demolition of 6,000 houses. Also, to support earlier notion of the sensitivity of the FCT, there were equally speculations about procuring a bulletproof car worth N300 million by the minister which the minister has since debunked. The minister in a swift reaction, spoke on 23rd August, 2023 during his first project tour at the Abuja Metro station where he stressed that the vehicle was not bulletproof as claimed but a regular SUV.

“We encourage journalists, bloggers and media outlets to exercise responsible journalism by verifying information from authorised sources before reporting,” he stressed. To further douse the speculations, Director of Press, Office of the FCT Minister, Anthony Ogunleye, told residents in a statement that his principal, Nyesom Wike, has no plan to demolish 6,000 houses in Abuja. In the statement, Ogunleye noted that aside from Wike’s comment on getting rid of illegal structures, any news purporting massive demolition in the nation’s capital is “entirely false and without any basis in reality”.

Ogunleye refuted the alleged media reports saying that the minister did not, in any of his public comments, list areas where illegal houses would be demolished. “We are compelled to address recent news articles in the media that claimed that the new FCT Minister, Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, is embarking on a demolition spree targeting 6,000 houses across 30 settlements in Abuja as well as the Wadata Plaza. “The Honourable Minister has consistently demonstrated a commitment to responsible urban development and the welfare of the people even while he was the governor of Rivers State, a commitment he has assured residents within the FCT since he assumed office as minister. “The claim that he is orchestrating large-scale demolitions is not only inaccurate but also lacks credibility’’.

Fortunately for FCT, the new minister is courageous, hardworking, and visionary. He is not the kind of man anyone can push around. He will not be afraid to step on toes no matter how fat, as long as it will be in the public interest. Certainly, he will do justice to all: rich, poor, North, South; East and West without fear or favour. Not being dogmatic or a religious bigot, he will be fair and just to all religious persuasions. He will be Minister of all! His track record bears testimony to this.

This is no time for politics, but governance. Our nation is in dire need of competent surgeons to get her out of the intensive care unit, where she’s gasping for breath. In the South-South State of Rivers, where he held sway for eight remarkable years, he was known for leading from the front, dazzling his many admirers with songs and dance steps, and project after project; making his adversaries green with envy as he turned his state into one huge construction site.

As he takes centre stage as minister, we must recognize that unlike the states, the FCT does not have a State House of Assembly that could be manipulated. As such observers urged him to devise a good working relationship with members of the National Assembly. He equally needs to be tactical in dealing with the elite and diverse population of the FCT. To succeed, Wike is expected to garner determined will power and swag to scale through and bring about reforms and development in the nation’s capital, FCT. Welcome to the federal capital territory, Mr. Project.