The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his reported promise to restore fuel subsidy if elected president, describing the former presidential candidate as an inconsistent politician.
Wike spoke on Thursday in Abuja while briefing journalists after inspecting ongoing infrastructure projects in the nation’s capital.
The FCT minister recalled that Atiku had promised in 2022 to remove fuel subsidy within his first 100 days in office if elected, but was now advocating its restoration.
He questioned the former vice president’s change of position, asking whether Atiku was now returning to what he had previously described as a fraudulent system.
“Atiku, who is confused, who acts like a voodoo economist, Atiku will say anything just to be president,” Wike said.
He insisted that leadership required consistency, arguing that politicians seeking the presidency should not change their positions simply to win votes.
“Leadership is not you coming out, you say one thing now in the morning, in the afternoon you say a different thing, in the night you are talking of a different thing,” he said.
Wike also questioned how subsidy could be restored under the current structure of Nigeria’s petroleum industry, noting that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had been commercialised under the Petroleum Industry Act.
He further asked how fuel produced by the Dangote Refinery would be handled under a new subsidy regime.
The minister defended President Bola Tinubu’s decision to remove fuel subsidy, saying the policy had increased revenue available to the Federal Government, states and local governments.
He said the savings from subsidy removal had helped governments meet their financial obligations, particularly salaries and pensions.
“Nobody talks about non-payment of pension, nobody talks about non-payment of salary. Before, for you to pay salary, you would beg and beg the banks to give you money. But all those things are things of the past,” Wike said.
Wike: Tinubu Has No Serious Opposition
The minister also dismissed suggestions that Atiku remained one of the leading contenders for the 2027 presidential election.
“I disagree with you that Atiku is one of the leading candidates,” Wike said, insisting that President Tinubu remained the leading candidate.
“You have only one leading candidate, and that’s Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu,” he added.
According to Wike, the opposition was more united and stronger in 2023 than it is currently.
“That’s why I say that 2027 is gone. It’s gone because you don’t have an opposition that want to wrestle power from the government,” he said.
Wike Rejects Claims of Rising Robbery
Wike also dismissed claims that armed robbery had increased in Abuja, saying security reports available to him did not support the allegation.
“I disagree with you that there are more armed robbery cases,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that isolated crimes had occurred but said security agencies were responding to them.
He disclosed that the Department of State Services (DSS) had tracked an individual allegedly impersonating security personnel and using fake materials to harass residents.
“I’m not saying there are no one or two incidents of crime, but to say the armed robbery has increased in Abuja, I don’t agree,” he said.
Projects to Be Completed Before Year-End
Wike expressed satisfaction with the progress of ongoing infrastructure projects inspected during the visit, saying several were on course for completion before the end of the year.
He described the projects as major interventions capable of transforming parts of Abuja.
The minister also highlighted the work around the Mpape bypass and Garki axis, noting that the construction had helped reclaim land previously affected by a major gully.
“We are satisfied with what we have seen. We’re very impressed that the promises made to our people are being fulfilled,” he said.
‘Area Council Chairmen Were Elected’
Reacting to complaints about the performance of some Area Council chairmen, Wike said residents who elected them should hold them accountable.
“They are the people who elected them. They should ask them. I did not appoint them, they were elected,” he said.
He, however, acknowledged that some councils might have areas requiring improvement, recalling his own experience as a former council chairman.
