President Bola Tinubu on Sunday recalled how he threatened to sack Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, over development projects in the FCT and their impact on his political success in 2027.

Tinubu, speaking during the Salah homage, by the FCT Minister and top government officials at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, President Tinubu recalled his conversation with the FCT Minister, when he requested that the FCT be taken out of the Treasury Single Account TSA.

Tinubu, who commended the FCT Minister for the success recorded in the city, said: “It is nothing other than a privilege to be the landlord of every one of us in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.

“When we started, he (Wike) came up with a lot of good ideas to liberate the bureaucracy, bring forward-looking, progressive thinking to the administration, and give the opportunity to many of you that would have still been hindered by property rights.

Tinubu who stated that Wike transformed the Area Council structures, and achieved indiscriminate development in the face of dwindling resources.

“I remember the day Nyesom Wike came to me and said ‘Please, take us out of this problem of TSA, so that I can do more work, and I achieve more.

“Then I said, ‘Okay, tell me what you’re about to do.’ And he presented it. And I threw in my own political guide. ‘Would that give me any opportunity for my party to win the election in FCT?’

“I said, ‘I know where you are coming from, your own party or my party. If this thing goes too much in your own favour, you will lose your job.’ Then he said, ‘Okay, we settle that, Oga.’

“And things started changing rapidly, and I started looking at the opening up of the rural areas, of abandoned projects, and the residence of the vice president that had been abandoned for years came alive.

“The health centers were being rehabilitated. The health facilities of the residents of FCT are being upgraded. Our schools are being rehabilitated and buildings are furnished. Thank you Wike.”

The President noted that his administration wouldn’t have been able to open our mouth to even celebrate, if not, because of the progressive ideas you have given.

“Today, we are living in peace and security is improving. There is satisfaction in our output. The hunger is coming down. Food prices lowering. We are able to go to the market and do business and our people. They are looking for results.

“They are looking for comfort. They are praying for good health. They are looking for a father, somebody with the heart. It is not about me, it’s about every one of us, and the diversity of Nigeria is being proved by Nyesom Wike, who is strengthening that diversity to develop prosperity seeing that we are all members of one family living together in the same house but we are staying in different rooms. We belong to one family of hope and belief in Nigeria.”

Tinubu noted however, that surprisingly, Nyesome Wike is not from the North.

“He’s not an Hausa man. He’s from the southern part of Nigeria. And his ability to work in the centre of the northern part of Nigeria is yielding fruits. That is a very good reflection of our diversity that we must use for our prosperity.”

The President while speaking earlier at the Eid-el-Fitr Ground, Abuja, urged Nigerians to embrace the spirit of Eid-el-Fitr by demonstrating greater love and compassion, particularly toward the vulnerable, and extending acts of charity to all.

The President urged Nigerians not to return to the old and unacceptable paths but to remain steadfast in practising the righteous virtues they had learned during Ramadan.

“We should give thanks to the Almighty Allah. We saw the beginning; we started together and ended together in good health and happiness, in prayers for our country and all our people.

“We should continue the good deeds as taught during the Holy month of Ramadan: care for the vulnerable, the orphans and the less privileged.

“Everything that we have observed, we should not revert to the path that is not acceptable to the teachings of this month,” the President said.

In his sermon, Abdulkadir Sholagberu, the Chief Imam of National Mosque, Abuja, who led the prayers, reiterated the need for Muslims to continue in the spirit of Ramadan, which included exhibiting a life of love, cooperation in righteousness, and care for the poor and the vulnerable.

He stressed that it was imperative to continue in the life of worship, holiness, and obedience to Allah even after Ramadan.

“You worshipped and followed His rules during Ramadan; you contained the Satan (temptations) within you, the Satan from outside, then after Ramadan, immediately, you go back to what you were, sinful servants.

“Allah says in the Quran: ‘Your example is like someone who was given paradise, then he got old, became helpless, feeble, weak and turned back against Allah.’

“If you do this, your servitude is like someone who had built for himself a mansion and, unfortunately, by his own hands, he pulled it down.

“We must continue to cooperate in righteousness. During the Fast, we showed love to one another; we cared for people in need, we extended charity, and our country was peaceful. Why should we return to rancour after Ramadan,” the Imam further stated.

Dr Salman urged the Muslim faithful to live in peace, harmony, and love of the country, devoid of discrimination.

Today was President Tinubu’s first Eid-el Fitr celebration in Abuja since 2023.

Vice President Kashim Shettima, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, members of the Federal Executive Council, and other senior government officials were also in attendance.

Wike, while speaking at the occasion, noted that despite coming from different political backgrounds, stated that, “we are united in our unwavering support for your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. This unity demonstrates the collective commitment of the people of the FCT to national progress and development under your visionary leadership.”

He expressed gratitude for the unparalleled support he extended to the FCT.

“None of the significant strides we have recorded in governance and development would have been possible without your commitment to the well-being of the FCT and its residents.

“Your approval of the exit of the FCTA from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the establishment of two new critical Mandate Secretariats for Women and Youths, and the appointment of Permanent Secretaries have strengthened our governance structure and improved service delivery translating into a better life for the ordinary citizen on the street,” he said.

Wike noted that the bold initiatives helped to enhance the efficiency of the FCTA and positioned us to achieve greater milestones.

According to him, “We still have not forgotten the unprecedented support you granted us last year during your first anniversary by being physically present in five out of the nine projects commissioned to commemorate the occasion.

“As we approach the second anniversary of your administration, we are excited about the array of impactful projects that we have lined up for commissioning. These projects, designed to improve infrastructure, economic opportunities, and the overall quality of life, stand as evidence to your administration’s commitment to national development. We look forward to hosting Your Excellency in the FCT to witness first-hand the tangible progress that has been made under your leadership over the last 12 months.” (BusinessDay, but headline rejigged)