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Tinubu shatters 44-year-old tradition with Wike’s appointment as FCT Minister

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In a historic move that has sent ripples through Nigeria’s political landscape, President Bola Tinubu has successfully shattered a 44-year-old record by appointing former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). This strategic decision by President Tinubu marks the end of a long-standing dominance by Northern leaders over the critical FCT Ministry.

Wike’s appointment is groundbreaking on multiple fronts. Notably, he becomes the very first minister to lead the FCT from the southern region since the advent of Nigeria’s democratic era in 1999. Prior to this, the FCT Ministry had been held by figures predominantly hailing from the Northern region, creating a distinctive pattern that Wike’s appointment has definitively disrupted.

The last time a southern minister held this prestigious position was in the formative years of the Nigerian republic. Ajose Adeogun served as the inaugural FCT minister in 1976, and Emeka Okoye followed suit in 1981, but the southern voice within the Ministry had remained silent for the ensuing decades.

Wike’s appointment adds a fresh layer of diversity to the leadership of the FCT, signaling a renewed commitment to inclusivity and equitable representation. As a distinguished politician known for his proactive governance style, Wike’s elevation is expected to bring a fresh perspective to the Ministry and the development of the capital city, Abuja.

The list of past FCT ministers underscores the historical significance of Wike’s appointment. While various political leaders have helmed the Ministry over the years, the absence of southern representation has been conspicuous. This new appointment ushers in a chapter of geographical balance, reflecting the evolving dynamics of Nigerian politics.

The table below showcases the roster of FCT ministers, highlighting the landmark moment of Nyesom Wike’s inclusion:

Title Minister Took Office Left Office Party
1st Minister Mobolaji Ajose-Adeogun 1976 1979
Minister John Jatau Kadiya 1979 1982 NPN
Minister Iro Abubakar Dan Musa 1982 1983 NPN
Minister Haliru Dantoro 1983 31 Dec 1983
Minister Mamman Jiya Vatsa 1984 Dec 1985
Minister Hamza Abdullahi 1986 1989
Minister Gado Nasko 1989 1993
Minister Jeremiah Timbut Useni 1993 1998
Minister Mamman Kontagora 1998 1999
Minister Ibrahim Bunu 1999 2001 PDP
Minister Mohammed Abba Gana Feb 2001 Jul 2003 PDP
Minister Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai Jul 2003 Jul 2007 PDP
Minister Aliyu Modibbo Umar Jul 2007 Oct 2008 PDP
Minister Muhammadu Adamu Aliero Dec 2008 Apr 2010 PDP
Minister Bala Mohammed Apr 2010 May 2015 PDP
Minister Mohammed Musa Bello Nov 2015 May 2023 APC
Minister Nyesom Wike Aug 2023 Incumbent PDP
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