Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has addressed the controversy surrounding a video where he was seen asking permanent secretaries to bow before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Wike spoke on Thursday during the commissioning of the seventh FCT project, which is part of the activities marking President Tinubu’s one year in office.
He used this platform to clarify the situation, dispelling reports that he had compelled permanent secretaries in the FCTA to bow before the President.
“Two days ago, when the President came, we tried to thank him for what he did in making sure that those who had already lost hope in their career progression got to the peak of their career.
“Before now, FCTA did not have permanent secretaries. But with Mr. President’s way of Renewed Hope, he said they must get to the peak of their career by getting to the position of permanent secretary and Head of the Civil Service, if possible. Mr President granted that and then I called out the permanent secretaries who are the beneficiaries to come out and take a bow and thank Mr President,” Wike explained.
He continued, “It is an honour to be called out to take a bow but some human beings can never see anything good. Instead, they are criticising, saying, ‘How will you call people who are Permanent Secretaries and ask them to take a bow?'”
To further buttress his point, Wike called out the six area council chairmen, whom he described as change agents of the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Tinubu, to also take a bow before the President.