President Bola Tinubu has disclosed the reason behind removing the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), stating that it followed a direct appeal from Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister.
President Tinubu revealed this when the FCT Minister led a delegation to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on a Sallah homage.
The president recalled his conversation with FCT Minister which led to the removal of the FCTA from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
According to him, “I remember the day Wike came to me and said, ‘Please, take us out of this TSA issue so I can do more and achieve more”.
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He explained that he had asked Wike to present his plans, after which he assessed the political implications.
“I said, ‘Would this give my party, APC, a chance to win elections in the FCT?’ I reminded him that he was from the PDP, and if the arrangement favored him too much, he could lose his job. He replied, ‘Okay, we settle that, Oga.’”
The President noted that once the FCT was removed from TSA, significant improvements began to unfold.
“I saw rapid changes—rural areas were being opened up, the long-abandoned Vice President’s residence was revived, and health centers were being rehabilitated. Health facilities were upgraded, teachers were supported, and school buildings were furnished. Thank you, Wike,” he said.
He highlighted improvements in security, food availability, and economic activities, saying, “Today, we are living in peace, security is improving, hunger is reducing, and food prices are coming down. People can now go to the market and do business more easily.”
Tinubu commended Wike for his innovative leadership in the FCT and urged Nigerians to embrace discipline, understanding, and generosity, emphasizing the importance of family values in fostering unity.
He also praised the delegation for their cooperation and commitment to peaceful coexistence, regardless of ethnic or religious backgrounds.
“With understanding and harmony, we can achieve great things in Nigeria,” he said. “Surprisingly, Wike is not from the North; he’s from the South. Yet, his ability to work effectively at the center of northern Nigeria is yielding results. This reflects the diversity we must harness for our nation’s prosperity.”
Nyesom Wike, FCT Minister emphasized that despite diverse backgrounds, the people of the FCT remain united in their unwavering support for President Tinubu’s administration and the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This unity reflects our collective commitment to national progress and development under your visionary leadership,” he stated.
Wike commended the President for key policy decisions that have strengthened governance in the FCT, including the removal of the FCTA from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the establishment of two critical Mandate Secretariats for Women and Youths, and the appointment of Permanent Secretaries.
“These bold initiatives have enhanced the efficiency of the FCTA and improved service delivery, translating into a better quality of life for ordinary citizens,” he noted.
He also recalled Tinubu’s unprecedented support during the administration’s first anniversary, where the President personally attended five of the nine project inaugurations.
“As we approach the second anniversary of your administration, we are excited about the series of transformative projects lined up for commissioning.
These initiatives, aimed at improving infrastructure, expanding economic opportunities, and enhancing overall quality of life, stand as a testament to your administration’s unwavering commitment to national development,” Wike added.