President Bola Tinubu has disclosed details of a discussion that led him to humorously threaten to remove the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, from his cabinet.
Speaking on Sunday, during a Sallah homage led by Wike and FCT residents at the State House in Abuja, Tinubu revealed that the minister had requested an exemption from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) to enhance his effectiveness in managing the FCT’s affairs.
Tinubu’s Response to Wike’s Request
The President recounted how Wike approached him with the proposal, explaining that such an exemption would allow for more flexibility in executing developmental projects. However, Tinubu, injecting a political dimension into the conversation, responded that if the exemption ultimately benefited the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) more than the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Wike’s position in the cabinet could be at risk.
“He (Wike) came up with a lot of good ideas. I remember the day Nyesom Wike came to me and said, ‘Please take us out of this problem of TSA so I can do more work and achieve more.’ I said, ‘Show me what you are about to do,’ and he presented his plans,” Tinubu recounted.
“I then threw in my own political jibe by saying, ‘Would that give my party an advantage in winning elections in the FCT? I know where you are coming from—your party or my party—but if this thing works too much in your favor, you will lose your job.’
“He said, ‘We will settle that, oga,’” Tinubu added.
Wike’s Political Alignment and Appointment
Despite being a PDP member, Wike played a pivotal role in supporting Tinubu’s candidacy in the 2023 presidential election, often working against his party’s official candidate. His political stance led to his subsequent appointment as the FCT Minister under the APC-led administration.
Wike’s request regarding the TSA highlights his ambition to implement policies that would enhance FCT governance, while Tinubu’s response reflects the intricate balance of politics and governance within his administration.
The exchange underscores the ongoing political dynamics between the ruling party and opposition figures within the government.
