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

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