Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike declared on Sunday that Nigeria was “practically dead” before President Bola Tinubu took office, acknowledging current challenges but insisting the administration has taken necessary tough decisions to revive the nation.
Speaking at Saint James’ Anglican Church in Asokoro, Abuja, during a thanksgiving service for the commissioning of 16 FCT projects, Wike warned Christians against repeating what he called a near-fatal mistake in the 2023 elections due to “sentimental attachments.”
“The country was dead. It would take hard decisions to be made,” Wike stated. “We are aware that we have challenges. Two years of a country that was run down and we expect a miracle worker? It is not prayer where you would say, somebody is sick, in the name of God, I heal you. It doesn’t work that way.”
The minister cautioned against political propaganda, recalling how the previous managers of the International Conference Centre paid only N50 million annually to the government before Tinubu’s intervention.
“Within six or seven months, we rehabilitated it, and in just three weeks of reopening, we generated over N700 million,” he said, contrasting it with the past administration’s record.
Wike challenged critics to assess leaders by their past performance, asking: “If I say we want to rescue Nigeria, what you should ask me is, when you had the opportunity, what happened?” He cited improved state allocations, security, and subsidy removal as evidence of Tinubu’s reforms, noting that some states now receive over N50 billion monthly compared to his N14 billion as Rivers governor.
While admitting more work remains, Wike urged the church to support Tinubu: “All I plead to the church is just to be patient and continue to pray for Mr President… Forget about people who have lost their chances to put Nigeria right. They won’t have the chance again.”