The minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, expressed disappointment on Thursday over the recent remarks made by activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore.
The criticism follows a post by Sowore on X (formerly Twitter), in which he used derogatory language to describe President Bola Tinubu.
This came after Tinubu’s speech during a visit to Brazil, where he claimed that corruption had decreased in Nigeria.
In response, the Federal Government filed a five-count charge against Sowore on Tuesday for calling the President a “criminal.”
Speaking at the official launch of the Arterial Road NI construction project, which will span from Wuye District to Ring Road II in Abuja, Wike addressed the issue.
He expressed that Sowore should be grateful that President Tinubu adheres to the rule of law, even in the face of such criticism.
Wike stated, “This is a country where somebody on social media will say Mr. President is a criminal; nothing will happen. You say all kinds of things you want to say, but nothing will happen. No matter how you see people: criticize Trump. Have you ever seen any American citizen on social media or in public say ‘our President is a criminal’? Have you heard that?”
He continued, “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. You are lucky. Continue to be lucky. There are those you will meet that you won’t be lucky again.”
On the ongoing indefinite strike by the Federal Capital Territory chapter of the National Association of Resident Doctors, Wike addressed concerns over the healthcare sector. He noted that his administration had allocated N25 billion in this year’s budget to address healthcare needs, a sum that was approved by the National Assembly in July.
Wike clarified that while the NARD had made requests for the payment of allowances and the employment of more doctors, these actions must follow due process.
He urged the doctors to be patient and assured them that his administration would continue to focus on doing what is right for the FCT. Wike also emphasized that he would not be intimidated by any form of blackmail.
The minister shared, “The Department of State Services (DSS) called me, saying that people said they would demonstrate, that we are paying attention to roads but not paying attention to health. I called the Director and said: ‘Listen, demonstration is allowed everywhere. Nobody will blackmail me; nobody will stop me from doing what I think is right and do it at the right time.’”
