Federal Capital Territory Minister, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has said that effective leadership demands the courage to make decisions fostering development, regardless of personal affiliations.

Speaking at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, on Thursday, during the institution’s 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture, Wike declared his readiness to pursue tax defaulters in Abuja, irrespective of their status, insisting that enforcing tax obligations will not cause chaos but rather restore order.

The Minister, delivering a lecture titled ‘Nigeria of our dreams,’ addressed the recent sealing of numerous properties, including the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, on Monday, May 26, 2025, due to unpaid ground rent. This action had drawn criticism from the PDP’s acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, who labelled it an act of irresponsibility.

However, Wike emphasised the need for courageous leadership that prioritises development over popularity. He reiterated that affluent individuals in Abuja, particularly those residing in upscale areas such as Maitama and Asokoro, who evade tax responsibilities, would be held accountable.

“I will touch you, if the right thing is not done. That is leadership, they didn’t appoint me as minister for a beauty contest,” he said, challenging the notion that certain wealthy residents are untouchable.
“Mention one poor man who has a house in Maitama, all are rich men, they don’t want to pay tax, you will pay it. You will pay, if you don’t pay, I will touch you and heaven will not fall, but rather be at peace.”

The minister’s comments come in the wake of the Federal Capital Territory Administration’s (FCTA) enforcement action on May 26, 2025, when its task force sealed numerous premises, including the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, over unpaid ground rent. The sealing of PDP offices prompted strong criticism from the opposition party, with acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, calling it irresponsible on the part of the Federal Government.

Beyond tax enforcement, Wike reflected on the broader issue of leadership in Nigeria, attributing the nation’s slow progress to a pattern of unprepared and unwilling leaders.

He said, “Indeed, some of these leaders were ab initio, even reluctant to take on the mantle of leadership. Accordingly, Nigeria has substantially been infested with leaders without preparation, knowledge, courage, patriotism and character.”
He pointed to ongoing deficiencies in infrastructure, primary healthcare, democratic and judicial systems, and the economy as consequences of this leadership gap.

Wike described the kind of leadership Nigeria requires as one characterised by preparation, resilience, and a belief in the country’s potential. He said such a leader must be “prepared to lead; one who has shown character and resilience in the face of challenges… who believes in the infinite possibilities that the Nigerian nation exemplifies while taking solid, proactive, logical and well-informed decisions.”

He added that this leader should prioritise excellence, innovation, and the creation of a society where free enterprise and responsible citizenship thrive.

Drawing on the example of Dubai’s development under Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Wike highlighted how disciplined leadership transformed the city into a global centre of commerce and leisure.

The minister also praised President Bola Tinubu for what he described as his demonstrated capacity for development and democratic commitment.
“He has shown great capacity for engendering development as captured in the unprecedently rapid and exponential development of Lagos state under his watch and even beyond,” Wike said.

He further commended Tinubu’s decision to remove the fuel subsidy on his first day as president, noting the difficult but necessary nature of the policy change.

“Leaders before him all spoke about the evil of fuel subsidy, but none had the courage to dare the blackmail of removing it. Tinubu did and is fittingly grappling with the inevitable, unintended and sometimes orchestrated consequences of this removal,” he said.

According to Wike, the subsidy removal has led to improved state resources and a reduction in debt accumulation, with petrol prices now adjusting more naturally to market forces under stricter regulation.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Professor Simeon Bamire, commended Wike’s contributions to national development through his various public service roles during their separate remarks at the event.

The lecture underscored Wike’s continued emphasis on accountability, leadership courage, and sustainable development as central themes for Nigeria’s future.