President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), persuaded him to remove FCT from Treasury Single Account (TSA) to expedite development and enhance resident participation in governance.
Tinubu made the revelation while speaking on Sunday when Wike led some residents of Abuja on Sallah homage to the State House, Abuja.
The president explained that the bureaucracy associated with TSA was hampering infrastructure growth in FCT and had to be reviewed for impact and progress.
He noted that the move has “swiftly catalyzed” infrastructure development, improved healthcare services, and strengthened security measures.
Tinubu said, “I remember the day that the FCT minister came to meet me, and he said, please take us out of the problem of the TSA so that I can do more work and achieve more. I said show me what you are about to do, and he presented his thinking and belief.”
“And everything started changing rapidly. I started seeing the opening up of the rural areas by the FCT, the resuscitation of abandoned projects, and the completion of the vice-president’s official residence that was abandoned for years. The FCT rehabilitated health care centres upgraded facilities for school children and provided furniture.”
The president commended Wike for proving that liberation from the bureaucracy was necessary and for restructuring the public service so that civil servants could aspire to higher positions and provide leadership.
He said, “We wouldn’t have been able to open our mouths to celebrate if not because of the progressive ideas you brought to FCT. We can now celebrate the innovative ideas brought to the FCT.”
Tinubu urged FCT residents and other Nigerians to look beyond ethnic and religious affiliations when choosing leaders and focus more on results.
He added, “Today, we live in peace, and security is improving. Hunger is coming down. Food prices are lowering. We can go to the market and do business. And our diversity and belief in ourselves are becoming stronger.”
“We are not looking for magic. We are looking for results. We are looking for comfort. We are praying for good health. We are looking for someone who cares.”
“The job is not just about Wike or me, but everyone. Nyesom Wike is proving the diversity of Nigeria. He strengthened that diversity to develop prosperity, showing us that we are all members of one family, living together in the same house, in different rooms, and under one roof.”
The president called for more tolerance, open-mindedness, and patriotism among Nigerians.
