By Uche Amunike
The newly sworn-in Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied the rumors making the rounds, that he bought a N300 million Armoured Lexus LX600 SUV, upon assuming office.
He made this known on Wednesday, after he visited the Metro Train Station in Abuja on inspection of the ongoing rehabilitation of the Abuja Rail Mass Transport System.
According to a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports, some sections of the media had reported that an armored Lexus SUV model LX600 with plate number ‘FCT- 01’ and which costs over N300m belonged to the new FCT Minister, Wike.
He has, however, refuted the claim which he described as mere mischief, reiterating that he was sworn in on Monday and had not even begun his official work yet. He stated that he had only interacted with members of staff and on Wednesday, visited the Metro Train Station, Abuja in the company of the Minister of State for FCT, to view things for themselves.
Hear him: ‘We are now going back to the office to interact with each of the departments in the Federal Capital Territory Administration.’
‘But I have seen what is going on in the social media, how the FCTA Permanent Secretary bought a bulletproof car of N300 million that I am using. So, I want you people to go hit your hand there (on the car) and see whether it is a treated car. With all due respect, people should be careful not to destroy other people,’ he said.
According to the FCT Minister, Wike, upon resumption of office, the Permanent Secretary, Adesola Olusade, informed him that FCTA already had cars that the ministerial would use and that it was a regular Lexus SUV. He maintained that he had never given the approval for any car to be bought, nor attempted to use any official bullet proof car.
While addressing newsmen at the scene, he urged them to always give factual news reports so as to avoid destroying people’s reputations. He urged them to take a look at the car he came in and see if it was bullet proof indeed.
Relatively, the Director, Press, Office of the Minister, Anthony Ogunleye has reacted to the claims made by some media outfits that the FCT Minister, Wike, has indicated that he has plans of demolishing 6000 houses across the 30 settlements in Abuja, including the Wadena Plaza.
Ogunleye maintained that those information were based on falsehood and had no basis. He explained that a national daily newspaper reported the falsehood on August 22nd, with the caption: ‘Abuja land: FG May Revoke Land Allocations, Demolish 6000 Buildings, Slums’.
He further stated that another major newspaper also published what he termed ‘an irritating story’, which was captioned: ‘ Wadata Plaza Will Go Down, Reaction Trails Wike’s Demolition Threat’.
Hear him: ‘For the avoidance of doubt, the minister did not in any of his pronouncements list the areas or the number of illegal houses to be removed. Rather, his emphasis has always been that illegal settlements and structures would be removed for the greater good of the public.
‘Equally vexing’ is the headline from a reputable broadcast station saying, ‘I will fix Abuja in six days’ and attributed the same to the FCT minister.’
‘We wish to state quite clearly that at no time did the Honorable Minister say this or allude to this phrase in any way. This headline, therefore, is borne purely out of mischief’, he stated.
He also averred that such reportage undermines the important role played by well researched and accurate journalism in society.
