Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), addressed the controversy surrounding a video in which he instructed some permanent secretaries to bow before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Speaking on Thursday during the commissioning of the seventh FCT project, Wike clarified the incident, which took place as part of the activities marking President Tinubu’s one year in office.
Wike explained that the gesture was meant to show gratitude to President Tinubu for his efforts in ensuring career progression for the permanent secretaries. He noted that, under Tinubu’s administration, those who had previously lost hope in their career progression were now able to reach the peak of their careers.
“Two days ago, when the President came, we tried to thank him for what he did in making sure that those who had already lost hope in their career progression got to the peak of their career,” Wike said. He emphasized that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) did not have permanent secretaries before, but under the President’s “Renewed Hope” agenda, they were able to achieve this position.
Wike continued, “Mr President granted that and then I called out the permanent secretaries who are the beneficiaries to come out and take a bow and thank Mr President. It is an honour to be called out to take a bow but some human beings can never see anything good. Instead, they are criticising, saying, ‘How will you call people who are Permanent Secretaries and ask them to take a bow?’”
To reinforce his point, Wike invited the six area council chairmen, describing them as the change agents of the Renewed Hope Agenda, to also take a bow before the President. He used this act to demonstrate the significance of the gesture and the respect it symbolizes.
