President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has disclosed that he had a one on one discussion with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Nyesom Wike before removing the FCT administration from the Treasury Single Account, TSA.

Speaking when the Minister led a delegation from the FCT to the Presidential Villa, Abuja on a Sallah homage, the President urged Nigerians to continue to imbibe the virtue of discipline, understanding, sharing, and partaking in the family values “that will always bring us together as one family.”

He commended the FCT Minister for the innovation he has brought to the administration of the territory.

Speaking on the TSA, President Tinubu said, “I remember the day Nyesom Wike came to me and said ‘Please, take us out of this problem of TSA, so that I can do more work, and I can achieve more.⁣

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“Then I said, ‘Okay, tell me what you’re about to do.’ And he presented it. And I threw in my own political guide. ‘Would that give me any opportunity for my party APC to win the election in FCT?’⁣

“I said ‘I know where you are coming from, your own party PDP or my party. If this thing goes too much in your own favour, you will lose your job.’ Then he said, ‘Okay, we settle that, Oga.”

President Tinubu noted that once the FCT was removed from TSA things started changing rapidly, “I started looking at the opening up of the rural areas, the residence of the vice president that has been abandoned for years came alive. The health centers were being rehabilitated. The health facilities of the residents of FCT are being upgraded. Our teachers at school are being rehabilitated, buildings are furnished. Thank you Wike.⁣
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“Today, we are living in peace and security is improving. There is satisfaction in our output. The hunger is coming down. Food prices lowering. We are able to go to the market and do business.”

He also thanked the delegation for their cooperation and collaboration, and believing in the positive idea that we can live in peace and harmony with one another, regardless of ethnic, religious diversity and faith.

The President explained that with understanding and living in harmony, “We can do great things in Nigeria. ⁣Surprisingly, Nyesom Wike is not from the North. He’s not an Hausa man. He’s from the southern part of Nigeria. And his ability to work in the centre of the northern part of Nigeria is bearing fruits. That is a very good reflection of our diversity that we must use for our prosperity.”

Speaking earlier, the FCT Minister said despite “our different backgrounds, we are united in our unwavering support for your administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda. This unity demonstrates the collective commitment of the people of the FCT to national progress and development under your visionary leadership.

He said, “Your approval of the exit of the FCTA from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the establishment of two new critical Mandate Secretariats for Women and Youths, and the appointment of Permanent Secretaries have strengthened our governance structure and improved service delivery translating into a better life for the ordinary citizen on the street.

“These bold initiatives have enhanced the efficiency of the FCTA and positioned us to achieve greater milestones. We still have not forgotten the unprecedented support you granted us last year during your first anniversary by being physically present in five out of the nine projects commissioned to commemorate the occasion.

“As we approach the second anniversary of your administration, we are excited about the array of impactful projects that we have lined up for commissioning. These projects, designed to improve infrastructure, economic opportunities, and the overall quality of life, stand as evidence to your administration’s commitment to national development.”