Yemi Obafemi
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that his administration is making significant strides in transforming Abuja, claiming his predecessors lacked the political will to make tough decisions.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja, the former Rivers State governor said the FCT is now functional because he has taken bold steps that past ministers were unwilling to take.
“Look at what we are doing differently. People have said that FCT was not working, but now it is working, which means I’m doing things that they (past FCT ministers) refused to do,” Wike stated.
Wike also insisted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must pay the outstanding ground rent on its national secretariat in Abuja.
He called out previous FCT ministers, including the current Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, saying they lacked the courage to enforce payment of ground rent from politically connected individuals and organizations.
“I found out that most of them didn’t have the courage to annoy people, to step on toes, but I take joy when I step on the toes of big men—those who say nothing will happen. But I say something will happen. It makes me happy,” he said.
Wike emphasized that his administration would not focus enforcement efforts only on ordinary citizens while allowing the elite to flout the law.
“All they want me to do is to make decisions against poor people, saying nothing will happen to them, but I say something will happen. That is why we are making results. If you don’t do the right thing, too bad. I don’t care,” he declared.
