***Says , “I don’t appear on the pages of newspapers”
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared that he will only testify in the terrorism trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, if he receives a formal subpoena from the court.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja on Friday, Wike reacted to reports listing him among witnesses expected to testify before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.
“You don’t become a witness by reading newspapers,” Wike said. “Nobody has served me any process. Nobody has subpoenaed me.”
The Minister expressed surprise at being named in the case, insisting he never volunteered to appear.
“If you see Nnamdi Kanu, ask him why he listed me. I did not go to say I want to be a witness,” he stated.
Wike stressed that while he would not respond to social media speculation, he would respect the judicial process if officially called upon.
“If I am subpoenaed to give evidence, I must obey the court. I will appear but not because of newspaper headlines,” he added.
The Minister further noted that those who listed his name must explain their reasons, saying he is unbothered by the development.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has slammed the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accusing them of deliberately weakening the opposition and blaming the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for their self-inflicted crisis.
Speaking during his monthly media chat in Abuja, Wike rejected claims that the APC was sabotaging the PDP, insisting that the party’s internal wrangling is entirely the making of its present managers.
“When Buhari was in power, there was nothing the government did not do to scatter the PDP,” Wike said. “But we stood firm and made sure the party was strong. Now, there is no attempt by any government to pull PDP down you are the one destroying the party yourselves.”
The former Rivers State governor said no governor in recent history faced the intensity of political warfare he endured, yet he remained loyal to the party.
“Every day you say APC. Are you telling me it is the ruling party that should beg you to put your house in order so we don’t have a one-party state? Who does that?” he asked.
On the planned PDP National Convention, Wike declared he would not attend any gathering that violates the party’s constitution.
“If a proper convention is to be held, why won’t I go? But I won’t go to a convention I know is illegal. How do you expect me to attend a convention that is not valid in law?” he said.
Wike also dismissed claims that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is rebuilding the party nationwide.
“In which state has he galvanised the support when we are losing governors every day?” he queried.
He further denied supporting former President Goodluck Jonathan for a comeback.
“Jonathan has never called me to say he is being pressured to run,” Wike said. “If he does, I will tell him my mind.”
Addressing reports that he has been listed as a witness in Nnamdi Kanu’s trial, Wike said he has received no official notice.
“Nobody has served me any process. Nobody has subpoenaed me,” he stated. “If I am invited, I will obey the court not because I saw my name on the pages of newspapers.”
Wike said his priority remains restoring order, security and development to the Federal Capital Territory.
“Some may not like the decisions, but we are not here to do what is convenient we are here to do what is right for the FCT,” he declared.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has issued a stern warning that no part of Abuja will be permitted to operate outside security control, insisting that all communities must remain open to law enforcement to prevent the rise of criminal hideouts.
Speaking during a live media chat on Friday, Wike said the FCT Administration will not allow any discriminatory or restricted area where security agencies cannot operate, stressing that such practices pose a direct threat to safety in the nation’s capital.
“You cannot create a place where police are not supposed to be,” he declared. “If you do that, you are opening the floodgate for insecurity. No area should be exempted from security access.”
The Minister said the FCTA remains committed to protecting lives and property across the territory, while ensuring that Abuja remains inclusive and secure for all residents.
“You are welcome here, you have shelter and accommodation. But we will not accept any community attempting to block security oversight. That is unacceptable,” he said.
Responding to concerns over recent enforcement actions, Wike emphasized that transparency is central to his leadership and that the administration will continue to communicate its activities openly to avoid misinterpretation.
“If you don’t inform the public, they will complain that nobody knows what is happening. Now that we are informing them, some are asking why,” he stated. “Our job is to tell people what we are doing and we will keep doing it.”
Wike reiterated that reforms aimed at restoring the Abuja masterplan and curbing illegality may generate resistance but are necessary for the capital’s long-term safety and development.
“Some may not like the decisions, but we are not here to do what is convenient. We are here to do what is right for the FCT,” he asserted.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he is acting as the spokesperson for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that his monthly media chat is strictly to update residents on developments within the nation’s capital.
Speaking during the FCT Minister’s Media Chat on Friday in Abuja, Wike said his mandate is to communicate the activities, priorities and progress of the FCT Administration, not to defend or speak on behalf of the entire Federal Government.
“Of course, I am not speaking for government,” Wike stated. “I am letting the world know what we are doing under Tinubu’s administration in the FCT. I owe a duty to inform the public about what is happening, what we are planning to do, and the projects already ongoing. That is my responsibility.”
Wike also criticised activist Omoyele Sowore’s allegation that the Presidency had stopped him from holding media engagements, describing the claim as “junk news” aimed at stirring unnecessary controversy.
“How will a president ban me from letting people know what the administration is doing, particularly as it pertains to the FCT?” he queried. “These are baseless fabrications.”
The Minister further debunked speculation that he was flown abroad for medical treatment, saying his political opponents were behind the rumour.
“We are all human beings and anybody can fall sick anytime,” he noted. “But it is unfortunate too I never fell sick to be flown abroad. These are lies you don’t need to pay attention to.”
Wike maintained that transparency remains central to his leadership approach and assured that he will continue engaging with the public through regular updates to ensure residents are fully informed of the administration’s programmes and reforms.
The Senate has renewed its push for strict compliance with Nigeria’s procurement laws, stressing that public funds must deliver visible and measurable development across the country.
Speaking at a two-day retreat organized for members of the Senate Committee on Public Procurement in Abuja, the Committee Chairman, Sen. Olajide Ipinsagba (Ondo North), said the era of opaque and inefficient contracting must end.
“Public procurement is not merely administrative; it is where government policies become real in schools, roads, hospitals and infrastructure,” Ipinsagba stated. “It accounts for a significant proportion of national expenditure and therefore demands the highest standards of integrity, efficiency and accountability.”
He said the enactment of the Public Procurement Act 2007 and the establishment of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) laid a strong foundation for reforms, but added that more decisive actions are required to align with international standards and protect public interest.
Procurement Reform as a Catalyst for Development
Ipinsagba emphasized that procurement oversight is a continuous process of adaptation and innovation to ensure transparency and value for money.
“Let us reaffirm our resolve to make Nigeria a model of procurement efficiency not just in Africa but globally,” he said. “By embracing reform, every naira spent must translate into better schools, safer roads, improved healthcare and a more prosperous nation in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.”
He reaffirmed the Committee’s commitment to:
Stronger legislative oversight
Enforcement of compliance
Anti-corruption safeguards
Institutional and policy reforms
Earlier, Barrister Kelechi Kingsley, CEO of LeadBold Resource Consulting Ltd, said the retreat aimed to equip lawmakers with modern tools to strengthen accountability and safeguard public resources.
“The goal is to align Nigeria’s procurement ecosystem with global best practices ensuring value for money and advancing national development through sound governance,” she noted.
Nigeria’s new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, SAN, on Thursday formally assumed office in Abuja, vowing to uphold integrity, transparency, and credibility in the nation’s electoral process.
Amupitan, who earlier took the oath of office before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, described his appointment as a divine call to national service.
“I consider this a divine assignment… God has directed this step and I must obey. I am here to contribute my part to the making of a new Nigeria,” he said during the handover ceremony at INEC headquarters.
Taking over from Mrs. May Agbamuche-Mbu, who served as Acting Chairman following the departure of Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Amupitan promised to place staff welfare, professional development and operational excellence at the heart of his leadership.
‘Our Mandate Is Sacred’
The new electoral chief affirmed that the Commission’s core responsibility remains delivering elections that reflect the will of voters.
“Our duty is simple but sacred to deliver elections that are free, fair and credible. The integrity of our process must never be compromised. Nigerians must continue to believe that their votes truly count,” he stated.
He assured that INEC would remain firm, impartial, and guided only by the law.
All Eyes on Anambra
Ahead of the November 8, 2025 Anambra Governorship Election, Amupitan acknowledged the pressure on the Commission to demonstrate readiness and earn public trust.
“The task before us is great, but together, we will overcome. The eyes of Nigerians are on us, and we must prove we deserve their confidence,” he said.
Continuity and Stability Recognized
Agbamuche-Mbu, in her remarks, hailed the new Chairman’s credentials as a scholar, administrator, and patriot, describing his assumption of duty as a “renewal of INEC’s commitment to credible polls.”
She maintained that he is stepping into leadership at a crucial time, noting that:
Four National Commissioners are currently in Anambra for a pre-election readiness assessment
INEC is consolidating on technological innovations such as BVAS and IReV introduced under Yakubu’s tenure
“The foundation is strong, and the path clearly defined. What remains is building, consolidation and forward march,” she said while handing over transition documents.
She expressed confidence that Amupitan’s leadership would “scale new heights” and strengthen democratic processes nationwide.
Surrounded by his family and senior colleagues from the University of Jos, Amupitan assured staff of a supportive environment where professionalism and accountability thrive.
“We will expect the best and we will provide the best conditions for you to deliver,” he pledged.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has appealed to schools to grant vaccination teams full access during immunization exercises, stressing that denying children vaccines violates their fundamental rights under the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2003.
Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Dolapo Fasawe, who made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja, said blocking vaccination teams puts children at risk and undermines public health investments.
“Every eligible child has a legal and moral right to be immunized. Denying vaccination is a breach of the Child Rights Act,” she said. “We are appealing to schools and parents to support this life-saving exercise.”
Fasawe encouraged school leaders, parents and caregivers to take up their shared responsibility: “Immunization saves lives. It is a collective duty and a moral obligation. No child in the FCT should be left unprotected.”
“Such actions undermine public health gains and put our children at unnecessary risk,” she said. “Every eligible child has a legal and moral right to be immunized. Denying vaccination is a breach of the Child Rights Act.”
Fasawe noted that the ongoing campaign has recorded huge success with most of the target population vaccinated, crediting collaboration between the FCTA, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), and development partners.
She added that the FCTA introduced an innovation linking vaccination with access to the FCT Health Insurance Scheme (FHIS), which supported 600 vaccination teams across the six area councils.
To address the challenge of blocked access, Fasawe said the administration has: Compiled a list of non-compliant schools, Issued letters reminding them of their obligations, Conducted community sensitization; and Finalized a mop-up exercise involving 132 vaccination teams
The FCTA has now approved mandatory immunization checks for school admission, re-admission, and transfers. Schools are also required to maintain a Child Health Register, partner nearby PHCs for on-site vaccination, and submit monthly compliance reports.
“Failure to comply will attract administrative sanctions under existing regulations,” Fasawe stated.
She commended Stella Maris School, Abuja, for setting a positive example by welcoming vaccination officers without hesitation.
Fasawe concluded by urging parents, school proprietors and administrators to embrace their legal obligation.
“Immunization saves lives. It is a collective responsibility, a legal duty, and a moral imperative. Together, we can ensure no child in the FCT is denied protection from preventable diseases,” she said.
FCT Mandate Secretary for Women Affairs, Dr. Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi, urged communities to trust the safety of WHO-certified vaccines: “These vaccines will not kill our children. We must protect their future.”
“These vaccines will not kill our children,” she said. “We must take ownership of the future of our children and the legacy of this government by ensuring every child is protected.”
Director of Disease Control and Immunization, Dr. Rufai Garba, appealed to parents and caregivers not to endanger society through vaccine refusal: “Without vaccines, hospitals will be overwhelmed and families will face avoidable health crises and financial burdens.”
He reminded citizens that Nigeria’s decades of immunization success including the eradication of smallpox prove its effectiveness and safety.
The trial of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, took a dramatic turn on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja as his legal team withdrew from the case.
At the resumed hearing, lead counsel Kanu Agabi (SAN) and other Senior Advocates representing the detained pro-Biafra agitator informed the court that Kanu had taken over the case from them, prompting their withdrawal from further representation.
Agabi told Justice James Omotosho that all SANs on the defence team were stepping aside based on the defendant’s decision.
Responding, Kanu told the court he would be representing himself “for now”, adding that the arrangement could change later in the ongoing trial over alleged terrorism-related offences.
When asked by Justice Omotosho whether he required a new lawyer to be assigned to him, Kanu declined.
In his oral submission, he insisted that the court lacks jurisdiction to prosecute him.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, on Thursday issued a powerful call for African nations to stop depending on foreign aid and instead take full charge of their own development trajectory.
Delivering the keynote address at the 2025 Innovate Africa Conference, held at the ECOWAS Conference Hall in Abuja, Wike said Africa possesses the resources and talent needed to achieve prosperity but must embrace visionary and transformational leadership to unlock its potential.
“Africa must now rise above aid, rediscover her strength, and rebuild her institutions. Development cannot be donated; it must be built,” Wike declared. “Our future must be crafted not in the conference rooms of donor agencies, but in the creative laboratories, farms, classrooms, and workshops of Africans determined to transform their continent.”
The summit, convened by Innovate Africa Corporation, brought together African leaders, global partners, business executives, investors, academics and innovators to chart a new course for continental progress.
Wike who received the Innovate Africa Leadership Award 2025 dedicated the honour to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian people, citing Abuja’s ongoing infrastructure upgrade as a testament to bold governance.
“This honour belongs not to me alone, but to the resilient people of Nigeria and especially to President Tinubu, whose bold vision has given me the platform to contribute to national transformation,” he said.
The Minister said Africa’s failure to translate its vast natural wealth and youthful population into tangible development is a consequence of “weak institutions, unemployment and leadership that focuses more on power than service.”
He stressed that leadership must be measured by results not ethnicity, religion or patronage.
“Leadership that builds, not blames; that inspires, not divides that is what Africa needs today,” he said.
Wike praised Tinubu’s early reforms particularly fuel subsidy removal and decentralisation of governance describing them as proof of leadership that “dares where others hesitate,” and is now boosting states’ revenues for grassroots development.
He further highlighted Africa’s youth over 70% under 30 as a “revolution waiting to happen” and urged massive investment in innovation, digital skills and entrepreneurship.
On economic integration, Wike hailed the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) as the continent’s “second liberation” this time, of its economy.
“AfCFTA is our declaration that Africa will no longer remain a supplier of raw materials and a dumping ground for finished goods,” he said.
Concluding, he charged African leaders, investors and citizens to stop waiting for external rescue:
“History will not remember what we merely dreamed for Africa; it will remember what we built for Africa and we must build it now.”
Chairman of the occasion, former Presidential aspirant Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, warned that Africa’s progress continues to be derailed by leaders who pursue power for personal gain rather than national development.
“Leadership is not for bullies or daydreamers,” he asserted. “We need leaders who deliver results for the national interest, not personal gain.”
He called for a “leadership metamorphosis” driven by innovation, accountability, strong institutions and inclusive participation particularly for youth and those with hidden potential.
Ohuabunwa said Africa must shift “from aid to partnerships” grounded in mutual benefit and long-term development priorities.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold economic reforms are already yielding results, describing them as the kind of transformational leadership Africa needs to unlock true development.
Wike stated this while delivering a keynote address at the Innovate Africa Conference on Thursday in Abuja.
He praised the removal of fuel subsidy and efforts toward decentralization, stressing that the decisions, though difficult, have significantly boosted national revenues and empowered states to invest more in development.
“We never received more than ₦500 billion for the federation in a month before. Today, states and local governments share over ₦2 trillion monthly. Why? Because of the reforms,” Wike said.
According to the Minister, transformational leadership demands courage and sacrifice, not politics driven by ethnicity, religion, or personal gain. He cited ongoing infrastructure projects in Abuja, including the Airport Metro Line which President Tinubu insisted must be revived and completed. “For major infrastructure to function transportation, commercial services it requires strong leadership. That is what we are seeing now,” Wike noted.
Wike urged Nigerians to remain patient as the reforms continue to take shape, saying the benefits will become more visible with time. He emphasized that the success of any reform also depends on collective support from citizens: “No matter how visionary and courageous a leader is, without the backing of the people, progress cannot be achieved. By the grace of God, the results are coming quickly, and Nigeria will see a new narrative.”
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa commended Wike’s message, describing Tinubu’s policies and the FCT’s transformation as evidence of results-driven governance.
“Very inspiring and validating. We spoke earlier today about leadership capable of propelling Africa into global competitiveness. What the Honourable Minister presented is a case study ideas being moved into reality, propositions into execution,” Ohuabunwa stated.
He stressed that leadership must be judged strictly by outcomes: “We may debate styles, but the best leadership is the one that produces results. And what is happening today in the FCT shows action visible, verifiable action.”
The Minister, however, cautioned that reforms cannot succeed without patience and cooperation from Nigerians.
“No matter how strong or determined a leader is, without the support of the people, transformation will stall. Yes, it will take time for the benefits to fully manifest but by God’s grace, the results are coming quickly,” he assured.
Wike said the Tinubu administration remains committed to restoring security, boosting productivity and building infrastructure that stimulates economic growth nationwide.
He urged Nigerians to remain united behind policies designed to reposition the economy for long-term prosperity.
