Tag: Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is looking into the crisis in Rivers State.

The former Rivers Governor revealed this in a briefing on Tuesday after the PDP Governors’ meeting in Abuja.

Read Also: Tinubu sets up committee to consider gaps in police legal framework

Wike said the party has taken over the matter, stating it was in no way an ethnic issue.

The Nation reported that Rivers Assembly served an impeachment notice to Rivers Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Monday.

Details shortly…

The Villa was as busy as bees after the Supreme Court affirmed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory yesterday.

Political leaders, associates, governors and Villa Staff members felicitated the President.

Among the early callers to the Villa to felicitate with the President were Governors Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Dapo Abiodun; Kogi (Ogun); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); and Hyacinth Alia (Benue). All of them elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), except Diri who is a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members.

There were also APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; former Delta State governor, James Ibori; the Managing Director of Sahara Energy, Mr Kola Adesina; and Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Ohanenye.

Also seen at the Villa were the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari.

House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas after his visit, said: “I think this time around, after this pronouncement, we have no excuse, but to go back to business as usual, to go back and reset our agenda and see what we can do for the people on Nigeria for the next three and a half or four years.

The Speaker added: “they should take heart, there is always one victor at a time, this is Asiwaju’s time, they should all take heart, come and join hands with him, so that we move Nigeria to a greater level.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “We must have a clear direction on how to get all hands on deck to get the economy of Nigeria on track, let us put whatever differences, political or otherwise, aside and let us rally round this administration for the benefit of Nigerians because at the end of the day we all want food on our table, we all want good roads, the food is not for a particular party, the road is not for a particular party it is for all Nigerians and that should be our concept going forward.

“All that is behind us and I can imagine that he has also run as much as possible an inclusive sense of govt. I want to wish Me President all the best, I want to congratulate the judiciary and all of us and say to every Nigerians that it is time for us to roll off our sleeves”.

Read Also: No apologies for supporting Tinubu in 2023 election – Wike

Governor Bello said: “All the jobs they have done have been affirmed by the Supreme Court today and I’m confident that in the Kogi election, more successes will be recorded by INEC, by the good people of Kogi state and of course, APC is poised to win with landslide and massive votes in the upcoming election, based on our performance and the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr President”.

Governor Abiodun said: “More importantly, by this judgment, the Supreme Court has also put to rest a lot of issues that will now become precedents in law. I’m sure that some other cases where either appeals have been filed at the appellate level or the Supreme Court, will probably be withdrawn”, he said.

He, however, expressed the view that the opposition figures who challenged President Tinubu’s victory in court now have to show that they mean well for the country from the outset by either going to sleep or congratulate and support the President.

“If that opportunity does not present itself for you now and the courts and people have chosen who they want, if you really do mean well for the country, what you need to do is congratulate that person, join hands with that person to ensure that what you want to do is achieved, that the common man gets the best of governance”.

Governor Alia said: “It is quite exciting because now we are going to move ahead. I know that our president has great plans for the nation and particularly in my state and I will not want us to miss out on that at all.

“His victory is not just a victory for the nation but those of us who are not on the same page for growth and development as it is intended. It is a larger victory for all of us. These (Justices) are people who are meticulous with the books.

“Today is a blessing for Nigeria that our sitting president carries the day. Please, let us all join hands with him to take our nation to higher heights because he has not just the potential, he has already started exhibiting what will bring our further growth.”

He added: “The highest court, the Supreme Court, spoke loud and clear that mandate was freely given. That is what we want in this country.

“We want stability, we don’t want distraction. The president has taken off beautifully and he has the interest of the people at heart. So far, the choices he’s making are tough but at the end of the day, they will make for a better tomorrow. So, we are very happy with what has happened today, Nigerians are celebrating”, he said.

Secretary to Government of the Federation. George Akume, noted that the victory was a revalidation of the mandate which the Nigerian people gave him.

“It is a revalidation of the mandate which the Nigerian people gave him and our electoral process also involves the judicial process. The people spoke loud and clear, some people were aggrieved, reasons they went to the court to the judiciary 

“The highest court, the Supreme Court spoke loud and clear that that mandate was freely given. That is what we want in this country.

“We want stability, we don’t want distraction, the President has taken off beautifully and he has the interest of the people at heart. So far the choices he’s making are tough but at the end of the day, they will make for a better tomorrow so we are very happy on what has happened today, Nigerians are celebrating.”

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, has enjoined opposition parties that challenged President Tinubu’s victory in court to see the Supreme Court affirmation on Thursday as victory for everyone, including them.

He said the opposition should regard the development as case of “no victor, no vanquished”.

“My message to the opposition is they should take this victory as a victory for all of us, including them, because what it is. There is no victor and no vanquished.

“Since the Supreme Court has decided and is the highest echelon of judiciary in this country and they have decided, though one of them (defeated candidate) said he’s appealing to God, we are all appealing to them to go for the right direction, where prosperity and hope will be renewed for all of us”, he said.

President Bola Tinubu, in an elated mood, while receiving his staff members assured them that their jobs are secure.

The minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Wednesday, October 25, urged religious leaders to be wary of the antics of failed politicians who have continued to engage in negative partisanship even after the 2023 general election.

Wike gave the charge in Abuja at separate meetings with the Most Rev. Daniel Okoh-led Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Dr Tajudeen Adigun-led Committee of FCT Imams Initiative.

During the meetings, both religious groups had pledged support for the minister, describing his appointment as well deserved.

Speaking to the CAN leaders, Wike said: “Let me advise all of us. You say you are not politicians but be careful about politicians. Be careful with politicians who are so desperate to get power.

“Be careful with politicians who can do anything just because of power. It is not everything you read in social media that is correct. Go and ask questions.

“I am seated here as the Minister of FCT. If there is anything you hear that the FCT is trying to do, do not hesitate, just like you wrote for this courtesy call, do not hesitate to also ask, this thing I am hearing, is it correct? So that we will be able to defend the government and defend ourselves.

“There are those who could not face us in the political scene, what they do is to run back to religious leaders and say, do you know this man? He hates you. If not, he wouldn’t have done this; he would not have done that, and you would fall into the trap.”

While speaking at the meeting with the Imams, Wike said: “I will ensure that justice is done to all at all times. As a government, we cannot work alone. We must partner with all relevant stakeholders. What is important is for us to move FCT forward.

“Like you rightly said, we have different people in the FCT and it is our responsibility to provide a conducive environment for all. We didn’t come here with any colouration of victimizing any religion or anyone. The mandate of Mr President is to ensure Abuja attains the dreams of its founding fathers.

Read Also: Abdulrazaq proposes N5b incentive for states with more women representations

“You have to be careful as religious leaders, don’t allow politicians, those who are desperate and those who think if they are not in power, Nigeria must come down to sell or distort information.

“Anything you are not clear about, do not hesitate to ask, this is what you heard, what is the position? But if you follow propaganda by political leaders then you are not doing anything meaningful to yourself.

“Politics is over. Don’t allow be who want to use propaganda to scatter the country. Political losers. They are working against the peace but we all need peace. Without peace, we cannot go to the mosques or churches. A president has emerged. It is for you religious leaders to now pray for God’s guidance upon him to succeed because if he fails, it will affect all of us.”

Wike added that he recently got to know that the contract for the maintenance of the National Mosque and the Christian Ecumenical Centre had long been stopped, but that he has ordered that the contracts be immediately activated.

The minister also said he had earlier in the day approved the payment of funds meant for both organizations for the year 2023.

Speaking earlier Chairman of FCT Imams Initiative, Dr. Adigun said they were at the FCTA to congratulate and welcome Wike to Abuja as the senior minister of FCT.

“This appointment is a well-deserved one and we say congratulations, Mr Projects.

“The committee is an organization for over 1000 Imams in the FCT to foster unity of the Ummah and promote discipline and foster unity among Islamic sects and other religions.

“Even as Governor, you have been working with people of all faiths, ethnicity, and political affiliations. We are ready to work with you. We are not going to work with rumours, we are going to work with what we see and we are always on the side of good governance.

“We have heard of your promise to the National Mosque -the largest mosque in the country – that you will continue to maintain the assistance the government is resenting to it and the Christian Centre. This is a very good development.”

The leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), on Wednesday, October 25, commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Nyesom Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

President of CAN, Most Rev Daniel Okoh gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the minister in his office

Okoh, who noted that Wike’s appointment brought fear and panic to evil people who do not want development in the FCT, promised to support him.

Read Also: Tinubu approves N18bn assurance policy for fallen heroes’ families

Wike expressed happiness over the visit and said he would not be afraid to do the right thing in FCT.

He called for all to pray for President Tinubu and his administration to succeed instead of doing otherwise.

Wike said God has chosen the right President for Nigeria and he should be supported by all no matter the religion.

Details shortly…

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, gave final warning to defaulters of ground rent payment in the FCT, insisting that something would happen.

Wike gave the warning when the leadership of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), led by its President, Dr Chris Isiguzo visited him in Abuja.

The minister said that “something will surely happen” contrary to the erroneous assumption that the ground rent directive was an empty threat.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the FCT Administration in September published land titles of individuals, organisations, and agencies owing ground rent.

In the publication, the FCTA reminded allottees of lands within FCT of their obligations as stipulated in the Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to pay in advance without demand from Jan. 1 of each year.

The FCTA had warned that a breach or failure to comply with any or all of the terms stated in the Rights of Occupancy shall be liable to the revocation of the title.

The administration, therefore, advised all allottees, property owners, and beneficiaries of the sale of Federal Government Houses in the FCT to settle their outstanding ground rents or lose their titles.

Wike assured the defaulters that he would match his words with action at the end of the grace period by revoking such plots.

“The law has been there before I came. The only problem is applying the law. The Minister of State and I have the capacity and political will to do what is right.

“You know Nigerians are funny, believing that nothing will happen. Something will happen. We can’t continue that way; we can’t.

“We have given defaulters a final notice to go and pay and they said it is initial “garagara” (false bravery). Something will happen.

“By the time we give the final notice, and you don’t pay, the law will be applied,” he said.

He added that FCTA was able to save significant Internally Generated Revenue since the removal of the Administration from the Treasury Single Account, adding that the era of abandoned projects in the FCT was over.

He explained that some of the hash decisions being taken by the FCTA was for the good of all in the long run, adding that the government would step on toes in the efforts to right the wrongs in the FCT.

The minister pledged continued support to the media as critical partners in the development space.

Earlier, Isiguzo commended Wike for his transformational potentials as exemplified in Rivers State when he was the governor.

He also commended the minister for his media-friendly disposition and pledged the NUJ’s support through free and responsible journalism.

He appealed to the minister to support the union’s capacity building programme, its forthcoming National Media Conference, and provide a plot of land for the construction of a Media Village in Abuja.

Read Also: Wike: we prioritise vulnerable for palliatives

NAN reports that the procedure for the payment of the ground rent is e-payment through the REMITA portal to generate a REMITA Retrieval Reference (RRR).

Affected persons are expected to log onto the REMITA portal https://remita.net and click on “Pay TSA & States, then select Federal Capital Territory Administration.

After that, select Abuja, Geographic Information Systems and choose the revenue head to be paid which in this case is FCC Ground Rent.

Fill the required information, submit, and print the RRR slip, after which payment can be made in any commercial bank.

(NAN)

• 21,000 widows, others to get N10,000 in Kwara

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike yesterday said vulnerable persons were prioritised for post-petrol subsidy removal palliatives because they are the worst-hit.

He warned those involved in the distribution process not to divert the items else they would cough them out.

FCTA’s Secretary of Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat, Lawan Geidam, represented Wike at the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) distribution Centre in Apo.

He said: “The commitment to sustaining the palliative distribution demonstrates the administration’s dedication to providing ongoing support to vulnerable residents in the FCT.”

Chairman of AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu, urged the administration to allocate more palliative materials to his Area Council, noting that it is the largest out of the six Councils in FCT.

Read Also: I will step on toes over ground rent debts, says Wike

Also yesterday, the Kwara State Government said it had begun disbursement of support funds for another 20,751 to petty traders, widows, and other indigent in the state.

The gesture, the state said, is another layer of its social protection programme in response to the recent removal of fuel subsidy.

The intervention is coordinated by the Kwara State Social Investment Programme (KWASSIP) and is the second in three months, the General Manager of the programme, Dr Tejidini Olayinka, said in a statement.

He stated: “In August, at least 13, 416 citizens received support funds from the government in the first phase.”

The statement added that 1, 569 widows, 1, 611 petty traders, 12, 500 youths for Kwara public welfare, and 5, 071 earlier enumerated under the safety net have been approved for this phase.

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned defaulters of ground rents in the territory to immediately take steps to offset their outstanding liabilities.

He vowed that at the end of the grace period, he would match his words with actions by revoking such plots.

Wike restated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo.

Cautioning those who think his utterances border on the pretence of bravery, otherwise called “initial gragra” in local parlance, Wike said at the end of the ultimatum for payment, “Something will happen.”

Wike said the era of abandoned projects in the FCT was over.

He said: “Abandonment of projects as far as the FCT is concerned is a thing of the past. This would not have been possible without the president exiting us from the TSA. As I speak to you, I can tell you how much we have been able to save from the IGR. There will be continuous funding of FCTA projects”.

On ground rents, the minister said: “Some people are saying what we are doing is ‘initial gragra’, but I want to say that at the end of the day, something will happen. We will step on toes because you cannot have governance without stepping on toes. I did not make the laws but I and my colleague, the Minister of State have the political will to enforce the laws.”

Earlier, Isiguzo expressed optimism about what he called “the transformational potentials of your leadership in the FCT”.

He also requested the Minister’s support in the establishment of a Media Village as well as the forthcoming national media conference.

He also spoke on what the administration is doing concerning security.

Wike said the establishment of a Joint Task team on: “One-chance robbers”, has helped address the menace, as no incident has been recorded since the team began operation.

He said: “Security has improved in the FCT. Security agencies have been working around the clock to ensure that the environment remains safe. For instance, in the issue of one-chance, we set up a joint task force and they have been working round the clock, since then no incidence has been recorded.

“The Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President is to restore Hope to our people. The President has put modaliti

The minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has warned defaulters of ground rents in the territory to immediately take steps to offset their outstanding liabilities.

He vowed that at the end of the grace period, he would match his words with actions by revoking such plots.

Wike restated this on Tuesday in Abuja at a meeting with the President of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo.

Cautioning those who think his utterances border on the pretence of bravery, otherwise called “initial gragra” in local parlance, Wike said at the end of the ultimatum for payment, “Something will happen.”

Wike said the era of abandoned projects in the FCT was over.

He said: “Abandonment of projects as far as the FCT is concerned is a thing of the past. This would not have been possible without the president exiting us from the TSA. As I speak to you, I can tell you how much we have been able to save from the IGR. There will be continuous funding of FCTA projects”.

On ground rents, the minister said: “Some people are saying what we are doing is ‘initial gragra’, but I want to say that at the end of the day, something will happen. We will step on toes because you cannot have governance without stepping on toes. I did not make the laws but I and my colleague, the Minister of State have the political will to enforce the laws.”

Earlier, Isiguzo expressed optimism about what he called “the transformational potentials of your leadership in the FCT”.

He also requested the Minister’s support in the establishment of a Media Village as well as the forthcoming national media conference.

Read Also: Subsidy palliative: Why we give priority attention to vulnerable people, by Wike

He also spoke on what the administration is doing concerning security.

Wike said the establishment of a Joint Task team on: “One-chance robbers”, has helped address the menace, as no incident has been recorded since the team began operation.

He said: “Security has improved in the FCT. Security agencies have been working around the clock to ensure that the environment remains safe. For instance, in the issue of one-chance, we set up a joint task force and they have been working round the clock, since then no incidence has been recorded.

“The Renewed Hope agenda of Mr. President is to restore Hope to our people. The President has put modalities in place to ensure that people’s hope is renewed. So much activity is going on in Abuja.

“We are focused on our drive to increase our Internally Generated Revenue, IGR, so we can carry out other development.”