Wike, who emphasized that he works for President Bola
Tinubu, explained that he sent a representative to the meeting due to other
engagements.

It was reported that Wike missed the Council of State
meeting because President Tinubu rejected his nominee for the position of
Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). During the
meeting, the council approved the nomination of Prof. Joash Amupitan as INEC
Chairman.

Speaking during the commissioning of access roads in Sector
Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Wike said:

“Sometimes last Thursday, we had a flag-off and I instructed
the Minister of State for FCT to represent me at the Council of State meeting.

“I had already informed Mr. President that I would not be
available because of other pre-scheduled engagements, so the Minister of State
represented the FCT in that meeting.

“That is why we have to be careful when people spread
unnecessary propaganda and blackmail. But in spite of those things, remain
focused, and you will achieve your results.

“They said I did not attend because I was unhappy that my
nominee was not approved. I work for Mr. President, and his judgment, as far as
I am concerned, has always been aimed at putting this country in the right
perspective.

“I have told people not to bother; be focused. When you
start delivering, achievements will silence all critics. Today, they have
nothing else to say, but we are concentrating on roads, and I said, take it
easy.”

Wike also disclosed that his administration intends to focus
on the education sector soon: “Very soon, they will see that we will be
focusing on schools, so critics will have nothing to say. They wake up in the
morning and tune in to national television.”

He also acknowledged the supportive role of his Minister of
State, Mariya Mahmoud, noting her cooperation in carrying out his
responsibilities as FCT Minister:

“My dear Director of Ceremony, you have said it all. In
2011–2012, when I was appointed Minister of State for Education, that was when
I met you, and you gave us all the necessary support in running Universal Basic
Education and the Almajiri schools. I am happy to have a Minister of State who
has been very supportive.

“It’s not easy to have two ministers working so closely and
cooperatively. I was a Minister of State, and I knew what happened in other
ministries. Without working together, you cannot achieve anything.

“So, Minister of State, I want to commend you and thank you
for the support. I also thank, in particular, the FCDA through the ES for your
support. Most of the projects we are commissioning have been under you and the
Coordinator of STD.”