Cabal, nonexistent in Tinubu’s Govt – Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed suggestions that President Bola Tinubu is being controlled by a clique of power brokers.

Speaking at the 2025 OAU Distinguished Personality Lecture held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Thursday, Wike stated emphatically that President Tinubu is firmly in charge of his administration.

“He has shown that he has the courage. Under Tinubu, there is nothing like cabal. This is a president that is in charge,” Wike said while delivering the keynote address at the event.

The former Rivers State governor and lawyer commended Tinubu for making tough decisions previous administrations had failed to confront, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of the nation’s multiple foreign exchange rates.

According to him, the fraudulent subsidy regime would have persisted to the benefit of a few individuals if the president had not taken action.

Wike, however, noted that while Nigeria has underachieved in the six decades since independence and continues to struggle with its numerous fault lines, the country still has the potential to reclaim its rightful place if proper governance structures are adopted.

He called for the rebuilding of national trust, the strengthening of unity in diversity, and a collective commitment from all Nigerians towards national development.

“The Nigeria we desire won’t drop from the sky. It will require vision, sacrifice, and commitment from all citizens. Let us leave behind resolves, not regrets, for the next generation,” Wike urged.

Reacting to criticism from those calling for his removal as FCT minister, Wike dismissed such voices, questioning their motives and reaffirming his capacity to deliver results.

He maintained his firm position that property owners owing ground rents in Abuja must settle their debts, saying, “Heaven won’t fall if they pay what they owe.”

The event was graced by notable personalities, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; former governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State and Samuel Ortom of Benue State, among others.