Tinubu Explains How He Threatened to Sack Wike As FCT Minister

• President Bola Tinubu said he once threatened to fire the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike
• Tinubu said he jokingly told Wike that he would lose his job if his policies did not align with the ruling APC's interests
• President Tinubu disclosed what the FCT minister told him after he jokingly threatened to sack him from his cabinet

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 7 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international

FCT, Abuja - President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said he once jokingly threatened to fire the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Tinubu said he threatened to sack the FCT minister if his policies did not align with the political interests of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The President stated this when Wike led an FCT delegation to pay Eid-el-Fitr homage at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

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As reported by Vanguard, the statesman said he threatened Wike after a request to remove the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).

President Tinubu said the request was to allow for greater financial flexibility and infrastructure development within the nation’s capital.

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

The Nigerian President further recounted how he challenged Wike on the potential political implications of his policies.

“And he presented it, and I threw in my own political guide: ‘Would that give me any opportunity for my party (APC) to win the election in FCT?'

“I said, ‘I know where you are coming from, your own party (PDP) 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'.”

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Legit.ng reported that President Tinubu had a meeting with Wike and his delegation at the Presidential Banquet Hall, Abuja.

The Nigerian President hosted his first set of guests for the Eid-El-Fitr homage and celebration on Sunday, March 30, 202.

It was gathered that the meeting commenced at 12:16 pm when President Tinubu arrived at the venue at the State House.

Legit.ng also reported that Wike donated 10,000 bags of rice to religious groups, community leaders, and special needs institutions in Abuja to support Muslims during Ramadan.

Represented by his Chief of Staff, Chidi Amadi, the FCT Minister emphasised charity, urging religious leaders to ensure the fair distribution of food items to vulnerable groups.

Beneficiaries, including Alhaji Abdulrazzaq Ademola and Imam Lawal Mustapha, expressed gratitude, praising the minister’s generosity and commitment to community support.

Did Wike collapse in Abuja?

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Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that Olayinka dismissed rumours that Wike collapsed and was flown to France for medical attention.

Reports claimed the FCT Minister suffered a partial stroke due to excessive alcohol consumption, but his spokesperson denied this.

Olayinka released a statement asserting that his boss was inspecting projects in the FCT on the day the alleged collapse took place.

Source: Legit.ng