Tinubu approved my absence at Council of State meeting – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as false and mischievous reports that he deliberately boycotted the recent Council of State meeting over dissatisfaction with the appointment of the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Wike clarified that his absence was with the express permission of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, explaining that he had directed the Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to represent him due to prior official engagements.

He made the clarification on Tuesday during the commissioning of access roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja.

According to him, the media claims suggesting that he stayed away from the meeting because his preferred nominee for the INEC top job was not chosen were baseless and intended to cause unnecessary tension.

“Sometime last week, Thursday, we had a flag-off, and I told the Minister of State, FCT, 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 engagements we had already scheduled. That is why I find it laughable when people spread unnecessary propaganda aort which alleged that his absence signaled a rift with President Tinubu following the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC Chairman. The report claimed Wike had lobbied for Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Court of Appeal for the position.

However, the former Rivers State governor strongly denied the allegation, stressing that his loyalty to the President remains unwavering.

“I work for Mr. President. His judgment, as far as I am concerned, has always been about how to reposition the country. When you begin to deliver on your mandate, the results will silence all critics,” he said.

The Minister attributed the progress recorded in the FCT to President Tinubu’s leadership and support, describing him as “a leader providing the right direction at the right time.”

“People are talking about our achievements in the FCT today because of one thing—leadership. Mr. President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has provided that. And that is why we are getting things right,” he stated.

Reflecting on the transformation of the Dakibiyu District, Wike recounted that the area was once inaccessible, especially for institutions such as the Code of Conduct Tribunal, the Police Service Commission, and the now-designated site for the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal.

“I remember when we came here looking for a location to build the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal. Back then, all these roads were impassable.

But today, with Mr. President’s support, that story has changed. All the roads here have been completed,” he said.

Wike commended the local contractors who handled the road projects and praised the cooperation of the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud.

“I’m happy to have a Minister of State who is supportive. It’s not always easy to have two ministers working closely together. I was once a Minister of State, and I know the challenges. But here, we work as a team, and I commend her for her cooperation,” he added.

The Minister also hinted at more projects in the pipeline, including the imminent inauguration of the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal by President Tinubu.

“In a few months, we’ll be back here. The Court of Appeal Division will soon be inaugurated. This is what dividends of democracy look like—flagging off and commissioning projects sector by sector,” he said.

Wike further urged critics of the administration to separate politics from governance, insisting that visible progress in the FCT is undeniable.

“As far as the FCT is concerned, no matter how you feel about losing an election, someone must win. Even if you hate Mr. President, can you deceive yourself into saying nothing is happening in the FCT? That would be dishonest,” he said.

He maintained that the achievements in the nation’s capital reflect President Tinubu’s broader commitment to good governance across the country.

“If this is what’s happening here in Abuja, you can imagine what is being done in other parts of the country. That is what it means to deliver the dividends of democracy,” he added.