Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says he is unperturbed by his critics and will not be distracted from carrying out his duties.
While Wike was abroad, rumours swirled that he was critically ill and undergoing treatment.
Speaking on Thursday during the flag-off of the construction of an arterial road in the Wuye district of Abuja, the nation’s capital, Wike said those who wish him dead would be disappointed, adding that he would be the one to sign their condolence letters.
“It is my prayer that I will sign their condolences. It is my prayer that very soon I will write a letter that we are sorry we loved him but take heart because it’s God that gives and has taken,” Wike said.
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The minister also weighed in on recent criticisms of President Bola Tinubu by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters.
On August 25, Sowore described Tinubu as a “criminal” while reacting to the president’s comments on corruption during a recent trip to Brazil.
The Department of State Services (DSS) subsequently demanded the deactivation of Sowore’s verified social media accounts, saying his posts could incite violence and threaten national security.
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Wike said Sowore was “fortunate” that Tinubu upholds the rule of law, warning that he might not enjoy the same protection under another president.
“This is a country where somebody on social media will say Mr President is a criminal; nothing will happen. You say all kinds of things you want to say, but nothing will happen,” he said.
“No matter how you see people criticise Trump, have you ever seen any American citizen on social media, or in public, say our President is a criminal? Have you heard that?
“But here, anybody can wake up in the morning and abuse the President, and we are happy.
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“You are lucky you have a president who believes in the rule of law. You are lucky. Continue to be lucky.”
Wike warned that there are leaders one could encounter under whom such luck would not exist.
