Wike To Ijaws: Nigeria Too Big For Any Group To Threaten

The Minister of FCT, Nyesom Wike, has said that Nigeria is too big for any ethnic group to hold to ransom or threaten its existence.

He stressed the need for the Ijaw region to desist from threatening the federal government of vandalizing oil pipelines.

Wike made this known during a media parley with some selected television stations in Abuja.

He explained that it is high time the militant groups stopped such threats, pointing out that the country belongs to all Nigerians, hence it is unfair for a minority Group to keep disturbing the peace and security of the nation.

Wike condemned in totality the notion that the Ijaw people or Niger Delta militants are solely responsible for pipeline vandalism, describing it
as “rubbish and political things being planted by some people in government.”

Wike who revealed that contracts for pipeline surveillance were often awarded to individuals from the Niger Delta, including notable figures like Tompolo, was of the opinion that pipeline sabotage is often politically motivated.

Wike questioned the role of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) and specifically criticised PANDEF for challenging President Bola Tinubu’s intervention in court.

‘If you have a father who is always interested in money, he can sell his child or his children… They took Mr. President to court… Now you’re going to tell the President to do what? That Supreme Court judgment should not be obeyed?’ he questioned.

On the ongoing bus terminals project, Wike hinted that when completed, it will be handed over to private organizations to manage its operations.

He explained that Government is not a professional business entity, hence the need to hand it over to business- minded organizations to ensure that the facility is efficiently managed to attain the expected results of tackling the menace of one – chance and maintaining orderliness in the transportation sector.

The FCT Minister also reiterated the readiness of the Renewed Hope Administration to continue to execute people oriented projects for the overall well-being of the citizens.

Remi Johnson, Edited By Grace Namiji