“REPORTS OF MY MEDIA CHAT BAN ARE UNFOUNDED” – FCT MINISTER
…SAYS HE’LL CONTINUE TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT GOVERNMENT ACTIVITIES
By: Rabi Musa-Umar
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has dismissed reports that the Presidency had banned him from holding media chats, describing the speculation as unfounded and false.
Speaking during his first monthly media parley after concluding a massive 20-day project flag-offs and commissioning exercise, the Minister advised members of the public to disregard such reports engineered by those with pecuniary motives.
He said, “Somebody said that the President has banned me from having a media chat. That is the same junk that they carry. Who is responsible for this? The same man who has been collecting money from people, and then Nigerians are listening to him – Oh Sahara reporters carried this and that. How will the President ban me from letting people know what the government is doing as it pertains to the FCT? So, it’s not everything you read or whatever you hear that you begin to take it seriously”.
Barr. Wike clarified that he was not speaking for the Federal Government, but rather informing the public about activities of the FCT Administration. “I’m not speaking for the Federal government. I’m letting the world know what we are doing in the FCT under Tinubu’s administration”, he said, noting that the same people who criticize his media activities were the first to always complain about being kept in the dark about government activities.
The FCT Minister, who stated that he has a responsibility to inform members of the public about ongoing and future projects, said the next phase of project flag-offs and commissioning will focus purely on the education sector.
Barr. Wike equally addressed several critical issues facing the FCT, including open grazing, activation of the Mabushi and Kugbo bus terminals, land administration and security, among others.
He described the issue of open grazing as a matter of national security, confirming that the FCTA was in discussions with the Ministry of Livestock and other stakeholders, including the Miyetti Allah cattle breeders’ association, to provide ranches. He expressed confidence that the issue would be resolved soon with the collaboration of security agencies.
On when the bus terminals would be opened for public use to alleviate pressure on transportation infrastructure, the Minister acknowledged existing operational problems and revealed that the FCT EXCO had awarded a contract for the management of the Mabushi and Kugbo bus terminals.
Barr. Wike also responded to criticisms over the recent revocation of undeveloped estate lands within the River Parks Estate and allegations that the FCTA was taking away estate lands, insisting that the FCTA only intervened to ensure the right thing was done. He clarified that the government is not interested in taking over people’s land, but emphasized that beneficiaries of land allocations must develop them within the stipulated time frame or risk revocation.
Reassuring residents that the city is safe, the Minister noted that isolated security incidents do not define the overall situation in the FCT. He assured of the government’s commitment to finding lasting solutions to existing problems but cautioned that all issues cannot be addressed at the same time.
Speaking on national politics, the Minister stated that the recent cross-carpeting of some Governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) signals that all was not well with his party (PDP) and insisted that the PDP must put its house in order before it could challenge the ruling APC, citing the lingering issue of the position of the National Secretary as a destabilizing factor.
Barr. Wike however maintained that he remains a member of the PDP and dismissed insinuations that he was planning to join the APC. He urged the party to follow due process in organizing its convention, stressing that he would not participate in what he described as an ‘illegal convention’.
Responding to news that the acclaimed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had listed him as a witness in his ongoing trial, Barr. Wike stated that he was unaware of the reason, but assured that he would appear in court to give evidence if he is officially subpoenaed. He also commented on recent protests by Kanu’s supporters, saying security agencies were “on top of the situation.”
The Minister also debunked reports that he tried to influence the choice of the recently appointed INEC Chairman, describing the reports as “totally rubbish” and urged the public to disregard such unfounded reports and media propaganda.
