Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained the reason for his absence at the recent Council of State meeting where Professor Joash Amupitan was nominated as Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Speaking on Tuesday during the commissioning of Access Roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja, Wike said he had delegated the Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, to represent him at the meeting due to prior official engagements.
He described as “unnecessary propaganda and blackmail” reports suggesting that he deliberately shunned the meeting because his preferred nominee for the INEC chairmanship position was not considered.
“Sometime last week, Thursday, we had a flag off, and I told the Minister of State, FCT, to represent me at the Council of State meeting,” Wike explained. “I had already informed Mr. President that I would not be available because of other engagements we had already put in place. And so, the Honourable Minister of State represented the FCT in that meeting.”
The FCT Minister reiterated his commitment to supporting the administration of President Bola Tinubu and dismissed attempts to politicize his official activities.
