Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has warned that he plans to carry out the demolition of unlawfully constructed houses.
He made this announcement during his first speech at the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) office on Monday.
The Governor of Rivers State was part of the group of 45 ministers that President Bola Tinubu administered the oath of office to at the presidential villa in Abuja.
Standing alongside Mariya Mahmud, the Minister of FCT (state), Wike pledged to take action against buildings that are impeding the Abuja master plan.
“If your house is sitting on where it should not be, it will go down,” he said.
Taking on their roles as the Minister of Federal Capital Territory and Minister of State, Wike and Mariya Mahmud began their official responsibilities. Following the swearing-in event at the presidential villa, they reached the FCTA around 1:20 pm to conduct their inaugural press briefing.
Meanwhile, the Arewa Youth Assembly (AYA) has restated its strong backing for Nyesom Wike as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
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This follows closely after the recent comments delivered by Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi in a widely circulated video and the Facebook post composed by Sanusi Garko II. These statements labeled Wike as an opponent of Northern Nigeria and an unbeliever, respectively.
In a statement endorsed by its speaker, Mohammed Salihu Danlami, the assembly characterized their statements as disheartening, emphasizing that certain individuals persist in propagating hate speech and divisive discourse, aiming to sow discord within the Nigerian populace.
The AYA firmly upholds the belief that Nigeria is the collective heritage of all its citizens, regardless of their religious, ethnic, or political affiliations. The group strongly emphasizes that national progress and advancement require unity and collaboration among all regions.
The youth assembly asserted that the former governor, Nyesom Wike, is a committed public servant who has showcased exceptional leadership skills during his tenure as the governor of Rivers State. They highlighted his dedication to effective governance and the advancement of his state, applauding his noteworthy efforts in these domains.
“We express our full support for his appointment as the FCT Minister and assure him of our unwavering support in this new role.
“It is on record that Mr. Wike on behalf of Rivers State donated N500 million to victims of the Sokoto State Central Market fire incident. Similarly, a donation of N200 million was made to victims of banditry in Kaduna State. In a like manner, he donated N200 million to Benue IDPs and N400 million Naira to victims of the Katsina-Ala and High-Level markets incident, just to mention but a few kindnesses of the former governor towards the North. Wike is one of us, he deserves all our support. One million of the likes of Sanusi Garko can’t set us against such a kindhearted man.
“We understand the frustration of Sheikh Gumi towards Nyesom Wike. The Sheikh was visibly present in the campaign train of Atiku Abubakar, seeing that Mr. Wike stood firmly on the Asaba declaration wherein all southern governors agreed to work on a power shift, which ultimately, handed power to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shetima as President and Vice President respectively.
“This will continue to disturb Atiku’s campaign team on various altars parading themselves as men of God. It only takes a patriotic Nigeria to jettison the campaign along ethnic and religious lines and support the novel Muslim/Muslim for the sake of national cohesion. It is pertinent for us to ask Sheikh Gumi and his co-travelers when Wike was making those huge donations to traders in the seat of the caliphate and even Kaduna where Gumi preached his hate-filled sermon, where were other Arewa elites who once held the position of the FCT Minister? Wike can be accused of anything, but certainly not a religious bigot or hater of Islam,” the group emphasized.
In line with this, the group stated that “Nigerians and most importantly, northerners who have suffered in the hands of bandits know those that have been using their platforms to aid and abet bandits. They know whose associate is still being held by the DSS over the role he played in the Kaduna-Abuja train attack. If only the investigation can be hastened, somebody can’t be free to continue promoting hate and negatively radicalising younger generations, instead of admonishing them to be nationalist.”
The group reiterated that while freedom of expression is a fundamental entitlement, it carries significant responsibilities. They appealed to all Nigerians to exercise this right judiciously, refraining from making incendiary remarks that might exacerbate division and mistrust among fellow citizens. The group emphasized the importance for Nigerians to actively promote unity, mutual understanding, and productive conversations, recognizing these as the pillars on which a strong and prosperous nation is constructed.
Moreover, the group called upon the pertinent security agencies to maintain vigilance and closely monitor individuals who engage in hate speech or any form of incitement. They underscored that upholding peace and security remains essential for Nigeria’s advancement and stability, urging all Nigerians to contribute to nurturing a harmonious society.
