Patrick Idowu
Former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, has lauded the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, for his significant efforts in transforming Abuja, despite candidly describing Wike’s character as that of a “rascal.”
In an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sheriff openly acknowledged Wike’s impactful tenure, asserting that no previous FCT minister has matched his level of development work in the capital since its establishment.
“I’m not a fan of Wike. Wike’s character is that of a rascal, but you cannot take away from him that he has changed Abuja,” Sheriff stated. He continued, “From the time Abuja was created up to this moment, nobody has worked like him. So, people like me will ignore his rascality because he is working.”
Sheriff also drew parallels with other ministers, citing Solid Minerals Minister Dele Alake’s success in transforming Nasarawa into an industrial hub for mineral extraction, despite Alake not being from the state. “Wike is not from Abuja, he is from Rivers, he is changing Abuja,” Sheriff added, emphasizing that effective leadership transcends regional ties and is about delivering results.
He criticized unnamed ministers for allegedly misleading the public, suggesting that Wike’s results-driven approach distinctly sets him apart from others in the current administration.
Since assuming office on August 21, 2023, Minister Wike has publicly prioritized key areas including security, sanitation, street lighting, and revenue generation, pledging to restore Abuja’s status as a world-class capital. His initiatives have notably included revitalizing mass transit systems and rigorously enforcing ground rent payments to significantly boost the FCT’s revenue.
While his tenure has faced scrutiny, including allegations of improper land allocations, supporters argue that his bold and often controversial actions have driven unprecedented progress and visible development in the FCT.
