The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, addressed the controversy surrounding a viral video showing him instructing permanent secretaries to bow before President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The video had caused uproar on social media, with many criticizing the minister for disrespecting the permanent secretaries.
However, Wike explained that his actions were meant as a gesture of appreciation for the president’s support of the permanent secretaries.
Wike clarified this during the commissioning of the seventh FCT project in honor of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office on Thursday.
He said: “Two days ago, when the President came, we tried to thank him for what he did in making sure that those who had already lost hope in their career progression got to the peak of their career.
“Before now, FCTA did not have permanent secretaries. But with Mr. President’s way of Renewed Hope, he said they must get to the peak of their career by getting to the position of permanent secretary and Head of the Civil Service, if possible. Mr President granted that and then I called out the permanent secretaries who are the beneficiaries to come out and take a bow and thank Mr President.
“It is an honour to be called out to take a bow but some human beings can never see anything good. Instead, they are criticising, saying, ‘How will you call people who are Permanent Secretaries and ask them to take a bow?’”
To press home his point, the minister, thereafter, called out the six area council chairmen, whom he described as change agents of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President, to also take a bow before the President
