Wike: I Don’t See, Hear My Critics

•Insists construction of office complex for body of benchers captured in FCT budget

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, yesterday said he would remain focused on his job and not be distracted by his detractors.

He also stressed that there was nothing subterranean about the design, construction and furnishing of the office complex for Body of Benchers.

He made this assertion yesterday at the flag-off of the project in Abuja. Wike’s remarks were on the heels of differing opinions about the morality of the provision of infrastructure and landed amenities for the judiciary by the executive arms of government.

He insisted he was unmoved by the views of his critics imputing ulterior motives into the ongoing projects for the judiciary in the FCT.

“The good thing about us, you know, as a politician, you must have thick skin. I have thick skin.

“I don’t even hear what people say. I don’t even see those who are talking. And I can’t reply.

“Three signals a politician must always have: One, he can’t see. Two, he can’t talk. Three, he can’t hear. So, whatever they are saying, you don’t even hear. Those who are saying it, you don’t even see.

“And because I can’t talk, I cannot reply. I will go ahead and continue to do my work to the best of the country. That is all I can do,” Wike said.

He insisted the project flag-off attended by dignitaries, including former Chief Justices of Nigeria – Justice Walter Onoghen and Justice Olukayode Ariwoola and Chairman of Body of Benchers, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, was catered for in the FCT 2023 Supplementary Budget assented to by President Bola Tinubu on November 8, 2023.

He described as mutual the cooperation among the three arms of government, saying it was the FCT Administration that was providing the official residence of the legislature which is a different arm of government.

“As we speak today, it is the FCTA that is building the new complex of the National Assembly. That has nothing to do with interference of the arm of government.

“At the end of the day, the project will be handed over to the legislature for them to manage.

“I am very grateful, thanking the President for approving this project. Mr. President took this project to the National Assembly and he sent it to reach me on November 8th, 2023 after the National Assembly had passed the supplementary budget. So it is obvious that there is nothing hidden,” Wike said.

He added that the procurement process takes between four to six months before being completed, they were still talking about the approval fee of the project, which he assured will be completed in 10 months’ time.

The minister also stated that the President had also approved the provision of 10 residential buildings for the lecturers of Nigerian Law School, Bwari, to be flagged off on Monday.

He thanked the President for offering backing whenever any initiative that will enhance the legal profession is proposed.

He expressed happiness as a lawyer and as a bencher for contributing to the development of legal education?

” You know, it is easy to criticise when you are outside. But when you are given an opportunity and they ask you, ‘what did you do’? I will say, ‘yes, as a minister of that city, I was able to contribute to this. As a minister of that city, I was able to do this’.

“And I know I’m happy. And I want to assure the Body of Benchers, I will make you proud. And you will see a difference as far as governance is concerned,” Wike said.

He said the honour accorded him by Body of Benchers would serve as impetus to do more for the legal profession.