The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has challenged the Director General of the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Adeniyi Adeyemi, to present evidence in support of his allegations against the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, instead of evading security investigations.
Speaking during a media chat in Abuja on Thursday, Wike said public officials occupying strategic positions in government, particularly chiefs of staff, secretaries to the government and finance officials, are often targeted by individuals seeking to discredit the administration.
He maintained that if Adeyemi’s allegations were genuine, he should submit himself to the appropriate security agencies with documentary evidence rather than remaining in hiding.
“If it was indeed correct, eyeball to eyeball, go to the security. He cannot say this,” Wike said.
The minister also recounted what he described as a failed blackmail attempt against his family, alleging that some individuals falsely claimed his son facilitated an illegal financial transaction involving government land allocations in the FCT.
According to Wike, an internal investigation led by his Chief Security Officer established that the allegation was false after verifying that his son was not in the country on the date the alleged transaction was said to have occurred.
He said he rejected suggestions to quietly resolve the matter, insisting that blackmail should be confronted through lawful means.
“Why not settle? Settle what? This is blackmail. I would not allow that. I wouldn’t do it,” he said.
Wike questioned why unverified allegations against public officials are often treated as public relations matters instead of being subjected to formal investigation.
He also dismissed claims that Adeyemi was avoiding public appearances out of concern for his safety.
“Which life? Is your life bigger than the lives of other people in the country?” he asked.
The minister stressed that serious allegations involving senior public officials should be thoroughly investigated and resolved through due process rather than being used to pressure the government into removing office holders.
