The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has delivered a strong rebuttal to rumors about his health, warning that those wishing for his demise will themselves face an early end.
Speaking on Thursday in Abuja at the inauguration of the Arterial Road N1 construction project, stretching from Wuye District to Ring Road II, Wike expressed his hope that he would be the one to sign their condolence books instead.
“Before I realized, I was already here, yet they claimed to be unwell. Some even said they had heart attacks. May God grant them heart attacks-it is my sincere wish. I will be the one signing their condolences,” Wike declared.
His remarks came in response to widespread social media speculation about his health, which he dismissed as baseless and politically driven.
“In this country, everything becomes a political game. How can someone just sit and spread all sorts of falsehoods? Where exactly did they see me? Which hospital did they claim I was in? I have no idea. Yet, we all live in this social media age,” he added.
Wike also shed light on the intense demands of his ministerial role, revealing that since his appointment, he has sacrificed vacations and often works while traveling.
“Since assuming this ministerial position, I have not taken a proper holiday. Whenever I travel, I carry files and CFOs with me to ensure work continues late into the night,” he shared.
He urged public officials to balance their duties with self-care, emphasizing that the system will persist regardless of any individual’s presence.
“In this line of work, there are always others ready to step in. When you fall, another minister will be appointed. So, it’s crucial to work hard but also find time to rest,” Wike advised.
Addressing the rampant culture of online criticism, he contrasted Nigeria’s social media environment with that of the United States.
“In America, people may criticize their leaders, but you rarely hear anyone publicly calling the president a criminal on social media. Have you ever seen that?” he questioned.
He concluded by highlighting the fortune Nigerians have in a president who upholds the rule of law, suggesting that such inflammatory remarks would carry serious repercussions elsewhere.
The ceremony itself marked the commencement of a significant infrastructure project designed to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance road networks within the capital city.
