Wike Raises Alarm: ‘We Have Complicated Issues’ In FCT’s Security And Health Sectors

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called for a swift and unified national response to address the escalating security and healthcare challenges confronting Abuja.

Speaking on Wednesday during the 2025 budget defence before the Senate, Wike emphasized Abuja’s critical position as Nigeria’s seat of power and a major diplomatic centre, stressing the need for a specialized and well-coordinated security framework.

He disclosed that the FCT Administration is already in active collaboration with key national security bodies, including the Office of the National Security Adviser and the Department of State Services (DSS), to strengthen security coordination in the capital.

“The FCT’s challenges cannot be resolved in isolation,” Wike noted. “There is a pressing need for a joint summit that brings together stakeholders from security, healthcare, and governance sectors to develop integrated solutions.”

The Minister also announced that advanced MRI and CT scan machines have been procured for FCT hospitals to boost healthcare delivery.

Highlighting the city’s strategic importance, Wike said, “You can’t talk about autonomy in a city that hosts the President, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and all heads of corporate and government institutions. Abuja’s security demands a comprehensive, national-level architecture.”

He further lamented the failure of surveillance infrastructure in the FCT, blaming it on political interference and administrative delays.

“It’s disheartening that despite the approval of critical projects like CCTV coverage, internal politics and deliberate sabotage often stall their implementation,” Wike stated.

On the debate over granting the FCT greater autonomy, the Minister advised caution, citing the unique legal structure of the capital.

“The FCT is not like other states,” he explained. “It does not have its own House of Assembly—its laws are enacted by the National Assembly.”