Tinubu took bold decisions Nigeria needed — Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying Nigeria needs courageous leadership capable of taking difficult decisions for long-term development.

Wike spoke on Saturday during a town hall interactive meeting with Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in Bonny Local Government, Rivers State, where he urged residents to support Tinubu for a second term in 2027.

He said the removal of petrol subsidy, though painful, has increased allocations to states and local governments, giving them greater financial capacity to execute development projects.

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According to him, successive administrations had acknowledged that the subsidy regime was unsustainable but were reluctant to abolish it because of immediate political consequences.

“Each time a president comes, fuel subsidy is a scam. What have you done with it? Nobody has been able to take a courageous decision,” Wike said.

He added that Tinubu took the decision shortly after his inauguration in May 2023, knowing it would cause hardship but believing it was a sacrifice necessary to move the country forward.

Wike acknowledged the rising cost of petrol and other commodities but maintained that the reforms have improved the financial position of sub-national governments.

He claimed that states now receive at least N15 billion monthly in federal allocation, excluding other inflows, although he did not provide a breakdown or specify whether it applies uniformly to all states. He contrasted this with his experience as Rivers governor, recalling lower allocations when he assumed office in 2015.

The minister also linked the reforms to industrial harmony in universities, claiming public universities had not embarked on strike in the last three years, a claim linked to improved funding conditions.

He cited the completion of the Bonny-Bodo Road as an example of the administration’s delivery, saying it has ended years of dependence on boats and helicopters to access Bonny Island.

“The advantage is that we can now go by road to Bonny. Administrations have come, and this road has become a political road. Thank God, under the administration of the present president, this road has been completed,” he said.

Wike, who coordinates Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Rivers and the FCT, said his visit was to explain developments in the country and encourage informed political choices ahead of 2027. He urged communities to engage government on their priority needs.

In the same meeting, Wike criticised former Anambra governor and presidential candidate of National Democratic Party (NDC), Mr. Peter Obi, mocking his habit of carrying his own bags and questioning his leadership record.

Describing Obi as a “president of social media,” Wike said online popularity was not a substitute for capacity to govern Nigeria.

“Truly speaking, I gave him president of social media. If you were to vote who will be president of social media, I will vote for him. But if it is to govern Nigeria, it capital no!” he said.

He added: “As a former Governor, you can not be stingy not to have employ a Personal Assistant who will carry your bag. You want to show you carry your bag. We don’t want such a stingy person as a president.” Wike said Obi’s record as Anambra governor should be assessed alongside the performance of his successors, including incumbent Governor Chukwuma Soludo.

The minister also criticised politicians who change parties amid crises, saying leadership requires confronting challenges rather than abandoning them. He referenced his own experience in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he stayed and fought.

He further criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential ticket, expressing doubts about its leadership and questioning the reliability of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, whom he said he knew from their time in PDP. He declared support for Tinubu and the APC for the 2027 presidential election.

Wike also questioned the management of public funds under a previous Rivers State administration headed by Governor Rotimi Amaechi, citing a proposed 1,000-bed Justice Karibi-Whyte Specialist Hospital, a monorail project, and the sale of a gas turbine.

He alleged that $39 million, which he put at N53 billion, was paid for the hospital without any foundation laid, that about N60 billion was spent on the monorail without value, and that $308 million from the sale of a gas turbine to Sahara Energy in December 2014 had reduced to $308,000 by May 2015. He also recalled a proposal to spend $10 million on fumigating the state against mosquitoes.

These allegations could not be independently verified from the account provided, and responses from those concerned were not included.

Earlier, Wike visited the Amanyanabo of Bonny Kingdom, King Edward Asimini William Dappa Pepple III, who welcomed him and recalled his longstanding support for the kingdom, including efforts to establish Bonny Polytechnic and his role in security and the Bonny-Bodo Road project.

“The minister has been of complementary support to us, ranging from when we tried to establish the Bonny Polytechnic. He played a major role towards having this polytechnic started at the time he was minister,” the monarch said, describing Bonny as strategically important to Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Bonny Chiefs’ Council, Se-Alabo (Amb.) Lt. Col. (Rtd.) Dagogo Soala Claude-Wilcox, invited Wike to the 30th anniversary of the monarch’s coronation on December 21, 2026, while Rainbow Coalition Chairman, George Tubara Tolofari, commended Wike for reconciling members after a period of division.

Wike said the Rainbow Coalition has brought together politicians from different parties to reduce political violence in Rivers, stating, “No more Rivers of blood, no more shooting.” He announced that the coalition would unveil its candidates on Tuesday, October 27, naming Kingsley Chinda as its choice for Rivers governorship and listing other candidates who will contest under different platforms, including the APC, despite the coalition’s cross-party membership.