President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has explained how Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), convinced him to remove the nation’s capital administration from the treasury single account (TSA) expedite development and enhance resident participation in governance.

 

Tinubu spoke on Sunday when Wike led some residents of Abuja on sallah homage to the State House, Abuja.

 

The president said the bureaucracy associated with the TSA was hampering infrastructure growth in the capital city and had to be reviewed for impact and progress.

 

He noted that freeing the FCT from TSA restrictions has “swiftly catalysed” infrastructure improvements, enhanced healthcare services, and increased security measures.

 

“I remember the day that the FCT minister came to meet me, and he said, please take us out of the problem of the TSA so that I can do more work and achieve more. I said show me what you are about to do, and he presented his thinking and belief,” the president said.

 

“And everything started changing rapidly. I started seeing the opening up of the rural areas by the FCT, the resuscitation of abandoned projects, and the completion of the vice-president’s official residence that was abandoned for years. The FCT rehabilitated health care centres upgraded facilities for school children and provided furniture.”

 

He commended the FCT minister for proving that liberation from the bureaucracy was necessary and for restructuring the public service so that civil servants could aspire to higher positions and provide leadership.

 

“We wouldn’t have been able to open our mouths to celebrate if not because of the progressive ideas you brought to FCT. We can now celebrate the innovative ideas brought to the FCT,” the president said.

 

Tinubu urged FCT residents and other Nigerians to look beyond ethnic and religious colourations in their leadership choices and focus more on results.

 

“Today, we live in peace, and security is improving. Hunger is coming down. Food prices are lowering. We can go to the market and do business. And our diversity and belief in ourselves are becoming stronger,” he added.

 

“We are not looking for magic. We are looking for results. We are looking for comfort. We are praying for good health. We are looking for someone who cares.

 

“The job is not just about Wike or me, but everyone. Nyesom Wike is proving the diversity of Nigeria. He strengthened that diversity to develop prosperity, showing us that we are all members of one family, living together in the same house, in different rooms, and under one roof.”

 

President Tinubu urged more tolerance, broadmindedness and patriotism.

 

“All I appeal for is tolerance, which has brought us this far. We have learnt some lessons from Ramadan. May the lessons continue to be with us,” he said.