The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that President Bola Tinubu risked his life for the establishment of democracy in Nigeria, highlighting the President's determination to see democratic governance thrive in the country.

Wike made these remarks on Thursday during his 2025 Distinguished Personality Lecture titled "The Nigeria of our Dreams" at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State.

"Let me make bold at this juncture to state that today, in our country, we have such a leader in the person of Tinubu," Wike stated. "He has shown in several ways and at different times, a stout commitment to the enthronement of democracy in our country, to the extent of even putting his own life on the line in the process."

Tinubu's Leadership and Reforms

The FCT Minister praised Tinubu's leadership capacity, referencing the "unprecedented rapid and exponential development of Lagos state under his watch and even beyond." He particularly commended the President's courage in removing fuel subsidy on his first day in office.

"Leaders before him all spoke about the evil of fuel subsidy, but none had the courage to dare the blackmail of removing it," Wike noted. "Tinubu did and is fittingly grappling with the inevitable, unintended and sometimes orchestrated consequences of this removal."

According to the Minister, the subsidy removal has resulted in states having more resources for development, reduced debt accumulation, and a gradual downward adjustment in petrol prices "in tandem with the forces of demand and supply and the strict implementation of regulatory conditionalities."

Addressing Federalism Concerns

Wike also highlighted the administration's efforts to address concerns about the centralization of power and resources at the national level, which he described as an "abuse of the doctrine of federalism."

"This is being addressed through the creation of zonal/regional commissions empowered to devolve developmental impetus to the respective zones and regions, so that power can truly return to the people," he explained.

The lecture, which focused on the vision for Nigeria's future, drew attention to the current administration's approach to governance and reform implementation as critical elements in achieving national development goals.