FCT Minister Nyesom Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed inquiries regarding the internal screening of All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirants in Rivers State, asserting that as a non-member of the party, such matters remain outside his jurisdiction.

Speaking to journalists on Monday during an inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in the capital, Wike maintained a firm stance on his political neutrality regarding the APC’s internal processes.

"I am not a member of the APC, so I don’t know what is happening in their screening," Wike stated. "Even if they publish the results, why would I comment? I don’t know the reasons they have. I am not a native doctor, neither am I a prophet."

A "Rainbow Coalition" for 2027

Addressing the shifting political landscape in Rivers State ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Minister indicated that his political strategy would prioritize electoral pragmatism over rigid party lines. He described his support base as a "rainbow coalition" designed to maximize political influence.

"We will look at where we have strength, compare notes, and vote accordingly," he explained, suggesting that future alignments would be dictated by strategic interests rather than traditional loyalty.

Infrastructure Milestones Ahead of Presidential Anniversary

The Minister’s remarks came during an extensive tour of road and bridge projects nearing completion across the FCT. The inspection serves as a precursor to the third anniversary of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Key updates from the tour include:

Streetlight Installation: Contractors have committed to completing streetlight installations on major routes by the end of May.

Dutse-Alhaji-to-M5 Road: Progress remains steady, with the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) reporting that the project is essentially complete, pending final lighting.

Strategic Bridge Projects: Wike praised the progress on a major bridge designed to divert traffic toward Kubwa, noting that the structure has been launched and connecting roads are currently underway.

"Part of these projects fixed by Mr. President will be inaugurated [during the anniversary events]," Wike said. "Quality jobs done by very good contractors. The excellence is there."

Addressing Revenue Collection Concerns

The Minister also weighed in on reports of alleged harassment by officials from the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) during tax enforcement exercises. While acknowledging that the FCT Administration had not yet received formal complaints, Wike emphasized the need for decorum in revenue generation.

"There must be a civilized way of collecting taxes," the Minister noted, while also observing the inherent challenges in tax compliance. "Knowing our taxpayers, people don’t like to pay tax. When tax collectors come, they find one excuse or the other."

The FCT Administration is expected to unveil a series of completed projects in the coming weeks as part of the scheduled national celebrations.