Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed as false and mischievous reports that he deliberately boycotted the recent Council of State meeting due to dissatisfaction over the nomination of the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He clarified that his absence at the meeting was with the express permission of President Bola Tinubu, adding that he had earlier directed the Minister of State for the FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, to represent him due to prior official engagements. He made the clarification yesterday during the commissioning of Access Roads in Sector Centre B, Dakibiyu District, Abuja.

According to him, the claims widely circulated by a section of the media suggesting that he deliberately stayed away because his preferred nominee for the INEC top job was not selected amount to baseless propaganda and blackmail.

“Sometime last week, Thursday, we had a flag-off, and I told the Minister of State, FCT, to represent me at the Council of State meeting,” Wike said.

“I had already informed MrPresident that I would not be available due to engagements we had already scheduled. That is why I find it laughable when people carry unnecessary propaganda and blackmail. But in spite of all that, I remain focused. You can only be distracted if you lose focus,” he stated.