The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that he is not the spokesperson for President Bola Tinubu or the Federal Government, stressing that his public briefings are solely about the activities and progress of the FCT Administration.
Wike made this clarification on Friday during his monthly media chat in Abuja, where he addressed a range of issues concerning governance and development in the nation’s capital.
Reacting to reports on social media alleging that he speaks for the Tinubu administration, the minister dismissed the claims, describing such publications as “junks” unworthy of his attention.
Wike said: “I don’t read those junks; I’m very focused. I am not speaking for the government. I’m only letting the world know what is happening under the Tinubu administration and to let the world know what is happening in this territory, what we are doing and what we are about to do.”
The former Rivers State Governor noted that part of his responsibility is to communicate the progress, policies, and projects of the FCT, not to act as a mouthpiece for the presidency.
“I am not a spokesperson for the government. I am only talking about the activities of the Federal Capital Territory. If I don’t do it, whose responsibility is it?” he added.
Wike also refuted rumours that he had fallen ill or that President Tinubu had stopped him from addressing the media, saying the claims were false and mischievous.
He added: “You talked about falling sick, we are all human beings; anybody can fall sick. But it’s unfortunate, I never fell sick.
“Someone even said the President has banned me from the chat. How can the President ban me from letting the people know about what the administration is doing, particularly as it pertains to the FCT?”
The minister reiterated his resolve to maintain open communication with residents and keep the public informed about the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.
