The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over his recent comment describing President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”
Speaking on Thursday during the flag-off of the Arterial Road N1 construction in Wuye, Abuja, Wike said Nigerians should count themselves fortunate to have a president who respects the rule of law despite harsh criticisms from citizens.
“This is a country where somebody on social media will say Mr President is a criminal; nothing will happen,” Wike said. “No matter how you see people criticise Trump, have you ever seen any American citizen on social media, or in the public, say their President is a criminal? But here, anybody can wake up in the morning and abuse the President, and we are happy. You are lucky you have a President who believes in the rule of law. Continue to be lucky. There are those you will meet that you won’t be lucky again.”
Sowore had, in an August 25 post on 𝕏, accused President Tinubu of “lying shamelessly” after the president reportedly claimed in Brazil that corruption no longer existed in Nigeria. The Department of State Services (DSS) quickly stepped in, filing criminal charges against Sowore for defamation and alleged breaches of Nigeria’s Cybercrimes and Terrorism Prevention laws. The DSS even asked social media platforms to take down the post.
But Sowore stood his ground, refusing to delete it. He described the DSS’s move as an attempt to silence dissent, calling it “despicable.”
Away from politics, Wike also addressed the indefinite strike by the FCT Association of Resident Doctors. He revealed that ₦25 billion had already been set aside for health projects in the 2025 budget. Responding to complaints about unpaid allowances and lack of employment for doctors, Wike said due process was being followed.
“They said they’ve not employed doctors. I told the Civil Service Commission to go ahead and employ them. I am not a doctor, I’ve never thought of being a doctor—so they should handle it. Once the Treasury brings the bill for allowances, they will be paid. Everything has a process,” he said.
He further dismissed threats of protest over claims that the administration was focusing more on roads than health. “Demonstration is allowed everywhere. But nobody will blackmail me or stop me from doing what I think is right and at the right time,” Wike declared.
The minister cautioned against politicising the FCT civil service, stressing that while entitlements would be paid, governance could not run on shortcuts or threats.
