A former personal aide to the late Lagos State Governor, Lateef Kayode Jakande, Comrade Salihu Dantata Mahmud, has faulted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his handling of the ongoing strike by civil servants in Abuja.
Mahmud said Wike lacked the moral authority to threaten or intimidate FCT workers, describing his approach as confrontational and unbecoming of a public office holder.
He accused the minister of allegedly sponsoring youths to counter what he described as bona fide protests by FCT Administration workers, noting that such actions were capable of worsening tension in the nation’s capital.
Mahmud said Wike’s conduct was damaging the image of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alleging that the minister was behaving “like a gangster” instead of a servant of the people.
“What does it take for him to sit down and negotiate with the workers?” Mahmud asked, insisting that leadership required dialogue, not intimidation.
He argued that the cost of fuelling Wike’s convoy alone could cover allowances and welfare benefits of staff of the Water Board, Environmental Services, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services and the Federal Capital Development Authority.
The former Jakande aide described the situation as unnecessary “hooliganism,” warning that it could pose security risks in Abuja if not urgently addressed.
He called on the Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to caution the FCT minister to prevent a breach of security in the territory.
Mahmud stressed that Abuja was not Lagos and urged Wike to understand the unique sensitivity of the nation’s capital, particularly at a time of heightened economic hardship and labour unrest.
