By Abiola Olawale
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Nyesom Wike, might have downplayed the political crisis rocking his home state, Rivers, by saying he is only focused on performing his duties as a minister.
The two-term governor of Rivers (2015-2023) said he is not distracted by the situation in the oil-rich state.
Wike, who made the statement on Friday, May 17, during a final inspection tour of projects to be inaugurated in the nation’s capital city, to mark the first anniversay of Nigeria’s New government on May 29, 2024, said the numerous projects ready to be commissioned in the city are a testament that he is only focused on his job.
He said: “I am not distracted. If I’m distracted, you won’t see this performance here. I focus on my work. I am the Minister of the FCT, and the works are going on. So, why would I be distracted? I don’t even think about it all,” he said.
The minister also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu would inaugurate some of the projects in the city for nine days, beginning on May 27 to June 6, 2024, adding that the events will begin with the unveiling of the metro line project for commercial activities on May 27.
“As you know, this is the final inspection we are doing as regards the preparedness for the inauguration of the various projects. With the approval of Mr President, we believe that from the 27th of this month, we shall start the inauguration of the various projects.
Particularly on the 27th, the President will flag off the commercial operation of the metro line. On Monday, we will have the final inspection of that (project),” Wike added.
The New Diplomat reports that Wike and his successor, Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, have been at loggerheads since October 2023.
While the reasons for the acrimony between the duo remain top secret, some inside sources say Wike and Fubara are purportedly battling for control of the state’s resources and its political machinery.
Speaking on Saturday during a civic reception in Ogu-Bolo, Rivers State, the minister stated that he had made a mistake, which he promised to correct “at the appropriate time.”
He, however, did not specify if having supported Fubara to succeed him as governor was the mistake.
He said: “I want to say this clearly, in life, we have made a mistake. I have made a mistake. I own it up, and I say God forgive me. I have said all of you forgive me. But we will correct it at the appropriate time.”
