The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has warned against propaganda and blackmail while addressing his absence at the Council of State meeting last week.

Wike, who emphasized that he works for President Bola Tinubu, explained that he sent a representative to the meeting due to other engagements.

It was reported that Wike missed the Council of State meeting because President Tinubu rejected his nominee for the position of Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). During the meeting, the council approved the nomination of Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman.

Speaking during the commissioning of access roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Wike said:

“Sometimes last Thursday, we had a flag-off and I instructed the Minister of State for FCT to represent me at the Council of State meeting.

“I had already informed Mr. President that I would not be available because of other pre-scheduled engagements, so the Minister of State represented the FCT in that meeting.

“That is why we have to be careful when people spread unnecessary propaganda and blackmail. But in spite of those things, remain focused, and you will achieve your results.

“They said I did not attend because I was unhappy that my nominee was not approved. I work for Mr. President, and his judgment, as far as I am concerned, has always been aimed at putting this country in the right perspective.

“I have told people not to bother; be focused. When you start delivering, achievements will silence all critics. Today, they have nothing else to say, but we are concentrating on roads, and I said, take it easy.”

Wike also disclosed that his administration intends to focus on the education sector soon: “Very soon, they will see that we will be focusing on schools, so critics will have nothing to say. They wake up in the morning and tune in to national television.”

He also acknowledged the supportive role of his Minister of State, Mariya Mahmoud, noting her cooperation in carrying out his responsibilities as FCT Minister:

“My dear Director of Ceremony, you have said it all. In 2011–2012, when I was appointed Minister of State for Education, that was when I met you, and you gave us all the necessary support in running Universal Basic Education and the Almajiri schools. I am happy to have a Minister of State who has been very supportive.

“It’s not easy to have two ministers working so closely and cooperatively. I was a Minister of State, and I knew what happened in other ministries. Without working together, you cannot achieve anything.

“So, Minister of State, I want to commend you and thank you for the support. I also thank, in particular, the FCDA through the ES for your support. Most of the projects we are commissioning have been under you and the Coordinator of STD.”

I work for Tinubu – Wike explains absence at council of state meeting