Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says he remains unfazed by rumours about his health and will not be distracted from performing his duties.
Gatekeepers News reports that while Wike was abroad, speculation spread that he was critically ill and receiving treatment. But speaking on Thursday at the flag-off of an arterial road construction in the Wuye district of Abuja, he dismissed the rumours with a taunt to his critics.
“It is my prayer that I will sign their condolences. It is my prayer that very soon I will write a letter that we are sorry we loved him but take heart because it’s God that gives and has taken,” Wike said.
The minister also weighed in on recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters.
On August 25, Sowore described Tinubu as a “criminal” in reaction to the president’s remarks on corruption during a trip to Brazil. The Department of State Services (DSS) later demanded the suspension of Sowore’s verified social media accounts, warning that his posts could incite violence and threaten national security.
Wike argued that Sowore was “fortunate” to be living under a president who respects the rule of law.
“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,” Wike said.
“No matter how you see people criticise Trump, have you ever seen any American citizen on social media, or in public, say our President is a criminal? Have you heard that?
“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.”
Wike cautioned that not all leaders would tolerate such criticism.
