Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has refuted claims he bought an armored Lexus LX600 SUV worth 300 million naira upon taking office.
Wike made the rebuttal shortly after a visit to the Abuja Metro train station on Wednesday to inspect the ongoing rehabilitation of Abuja’s rail mass transit system.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that some media outlets had published an image of a Lexus LX 600 model armored SUV fitted with the license plate ‘FCT – 01’.
Reports claimed that the SUV, which cost more than 300 million naira, belonged to the new FCT minister, Mr Wike.
But Wike disputed the claim, calling it mere “mischief,” stressing that he was sworn in Monday and hadn’t even sat down to work yet.
He said all he did was interact with the staff and today (Wednesday) he went to the Abuja metro station with the FCT Minister of State to see things for themselves.
“Now we return to the office to interact with each of the departments of the Administration of the Federal Capital Territory.
“But I have seen what is happening on social media, how the Permanent Secretary of the FCTA bought an armored car for 300 million naira that I am using.
“So, I want you guys to hit your hand there (on the car) and see if it’s a treated car.
“With all due respect, people should be careful not to destroy other people,” he said.
He explained that when he resumed the meeting, the Permanent Secretary, Adesola Olusade, had told him that the FCTA has vehicles that the ministers would use.
“And the car we use is this (pointing to a normal Lexus SUV).
“I have never approved the purchase of any car and I have not used any official bulletproof car.
“As a FCT minister, I don’t use an armored car, so we must report what is correct and not destroy ourselves.
“I want you to look at the car I came with, the one with the flag, and see if it’s an armored car,” he asked reporters at the scene.
In a related development, the Minister’s Office Press Director, Anthony Ogunleye, dismissed claims by some media outlets that Wike plans to demolish 6,000 houses in 30 settlements in Abuja, including Wadata Plaza.
“We would like to state categorically that these stories are totally false and without any foundation,” Ogunleye said.
He explained that the story about the demolition of 6,000 houses was published in a national newspaper on August 22, under the headline “Abuja Land: FG May Revoke Land Allocations, Demolish 6,000 Buildings, Slums.”
He added that another major newspaper also published what he described as an “irritating story” under the headline: “Wadata Plaza to Collapse, Reactions to Follow Wike Demolition Threat.”
“For the avoidance of doubt, the minister did not list in any of his pronouncements the areas or the number of illegal houses to be removed.
“Rather, their emphasis has always been that illegal settlements and structures would be removed for the good of the public.
“Equally Irritating” is the headline of a reputable broadcaster that reads: “I will fix Abuja in six days”, and attributed the same to the FCT minister.
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“We want to make it very clear that at no time did the Honorable Minister say this or allude to this phrase in any way. This headline, therefore, arises purely out of mischief,” he stated.
The press secretary pointed out that this type of sensationalist reporting not only misleads the public but also undermines the vital role that accurate and well-researched journalism plays in society.
(YAYA)
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