The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has said that there is no cabal or secret group controlling President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Wike made the statement on Thursday while speaking at the 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture held at Obafemi Awolowo University in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
“This is a president that is in charge. Under Tinubu, there is nothing like cabal,” Wike said, defending the President’s leadership style.
Wike, who is a former Governor of Rivers State, said President Tinubu had the boldness to take tough decisions that past leaders avoided. He praised Tinubu for removing petrol subsidy and unifying the exchange rate.
“Had Tinubu not removed fuel subsidy, many people would still be benefiting from the fraud,” he stated.
The minister added that former presidents like Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan were not brave enough to end the subsidy, but Tinubu did it because he wanted real progress.
Wike noted that although Nigeria has struggled in the past 60 years, there is still hope for the country if leaders and citizens are ready to work hard and make sacrifices.
“The Nigeria we all want will not fall from heaven,” he said. “It will come through vision, sacrifice, and commitment from every citizen. Let us leave for the next generation resolves, not regrets.”
He also spoke about the need to build trust among Nigerians and promote unity across ethnic and religious lines.
Wike criticised those who have been calling for his removal as FCT Minister, saying they lack understanding.
“There must be something wrong with people who say I don’t have the capacity to perform,” he said.
He insisted that property owners in Abuja must pay their ground rent debts, no matter how influential they are.
“Heaven will not fall if they pay their debts,” he declared.
The event was attended by notable personalities, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Minister of Finance, Wale Edun; former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and Samuel Ortom, among others.
