The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why he was missing at the recent Council of State meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike said his absence had nothing to do with politics or disagreement, but with prior official duties he had already committed to.
Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of access roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja, the former Rivers governor said he had duly informed the President beforehand.
According to him, he also instructed the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to attend the meeting on his behalf.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the Council of State meeting, held on Thursday, October 9, 2025, saw President Tinubu nominate Prof. Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), pending Senate confirmation.
Reacting to speculations that he boycotted the meeting because his preferred nominee was not picked, Wike dismissed the claims as “propaganda and blackmail.”
He said, “Last week Thursday, we had a flag-off event, and I told the Minister of State to represent me at the Council of State meeting. I already informed Mr President that I would not be available due to prior engagements. That is why I wonder when people carry unnecessary propaganda. They said I didn’t attend because my nominee wasn’t selected that’s not true.”
The minister also dismissed rumours of a rift between him and President Tinubu, insisting that his loyalty to the President remains intact.
“I work for Mr President. His focus has always been on putting this country on the right path. When you deliver results, your achievements will silence critics. Today, they have nothing more to say,” he stated.
Wike went further to commend President Tinubu’s leadership, saying it has inspired significant progress across the FCT.
“When you have the right leadership, you achieve results. Mr President has shown that, and that’s why people are talking about the achievements in the FCT,” he added.