FCT Minister Wike Slams Sowore Over “Criminal” Comment About President Tinubu

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has criticized activist and African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, for referring to President Bola Tinubu as a “criminal.”

Sowore made the statement in an August 25 tweet, referencing a video of President Tinubu during a visit to Brazil, where Tinubu claimed there was no longer corruption in Nigeria.

“This criminal @officialpbat actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!” Sowore tweeted.

In response, Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) filed defamation charges against Sowore, accusing him of spreading false information in violation of the Cybercrimes Act and the Terrorism Prevention Act. The DSS also called on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta to remove the post, labeling it a threat to national security and public order.

Despite pressure, Sowore stood by his words and refused to delete the tweet, accusing the DSS of trying to stifle free speech. He described their actions as “despicable.”

Speaking on Thursday during the flag-off ceremony for the construction of Arterial Road N1 in Wuye, Abuja, Wike condemned Sowore’s remarks. He argued that such statements were only possible because President Tinubu respects democratic values.

“In this country, someone can go on social media and call the President a criminal — and nothing happens,” Wike said. “Try that in other countries. Can you imagine an American citizen openly calling their President a criminal? Yet, here we are, and people get away with it.”

“You’re lucky to have a President who believes in the rule of law. Keep being lucky. With another kind of President, things might not go so well for you,” he added.

On Doctors’ Strike: Wike Urges Patience Amid Budget Constraints

The FCT Minister also addressed the ongoing strike by the FCT branch of the Association of Resident Doctors, who are demanding better working conditions, the payment of outstanding allowances, and the employment of more doctors.

Wike explained that while the administration is committed to improving the healthcare sector — with a N25 billion allocation for health in the 2025 capital budget — procedures must be followed.

“The SSS called me about a planned protest, saying we’re prioritizing roads over health. I told them: protest is a right, let them protest. But no one will blackmail me or rush me into doing things improperly,” he said.

He noted that the recent delay in addressing some of the demands was partly due to a leadership transition, as a new acting Head of Service was only just appointed.

“They say they’ve not employed doctors — fine. The Civil Service Commission said they got a waiver. Then go ahead and employ them. I’m not a doctor. That’s not my job,” he stated.

Responding to claims that the administration isn’t investing in healthcare infrastructure, Wike emphasized: “We included N25 billion in the 2025 capital budget for health alone. Ask them when they saw the budget — it was passed in July.”

He warned against politicizing the civil service and stressed that due process must be followed in the payment of allowances.

“If the Permanent Secretary of the Treasury presents the bill for the allowances, why would I hold it? They will be paid, but everything has its process,” he said.

Wike concluded by reaffirming his commitment to development projects and insisted that protests would not derail government plans. “I told the DSS Director — let them demonstrate. But nobody can stop me from carrying out this project today. No one.”