Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sparked public outrage following his use of inflammatory language while defending the renaming of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on Friday during the commissioning of the N39 billion Outer Southern Expressway (Left-Hand Service Carriageway) from Apo-Wasa, Wike launched a scathing attack on critics of the renaming decision, using harsh and dismissive language to justify the move.
Addressing the controversy, Wike said:
“There are people who naturally don’t have good taste. The only thing that wasn’t changed in the International Conference Centre is the block itself. Everything else has been renovated. If you love this country, you shouldn’t criticise it.”
He dismissed criticism as insincere and politically motivated, adding:
“It’s not about wearing one shoe or carrying a bag—telling people lies. It’s a lie.”
Drawing parallels with other national monuments named after prominent figures, Wike defended the decision to honour President Tinubu despite him not being the original builder.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe didn’t build the airport named after him. Moshood Abiola didn’t construct the stadium named after him,” he argued.
However, it was the minister’s more caustic remarks that drew sharp reactions from the public.
“I don’t watch them. I don’t even like knowing people who have nothing to offer,” he said.
“If you want to die, I have land to give you where you’ll be buried. Africa’s population is too high. So if you want to die, go ahead.”
The International Conference Centre, originally built in 1991 during the military era, was recently renovated under the Tinubu administration. Wike credited President Tinubu’s leadership for initiating and supporting the upgrade.
“Last year, when President Tinubu came here to inaugurate the ECOWAS Parliament, he was embarrassed by the state of the facility. That concern showed leadership,” Wike said.
“That is why today it bears his name — the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.”
The minister’s speech has since sparked backlash on social media and among civil society groups, many of whom have condemned the tone and content of his remarks as unbecoming of a public official.
