‘Cry all you want’ — Wike replies workers protesting sack of Abuja Mass Transit boss

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says the protest over the sack of heads of parastatals and agencies does not bother him because he is doing what is right.

On Wednesday, Wike terminated the appointments of 21 heads of parastatals, agencies and companies under the FCT administration.

This led to a protest by workers at the Abuja Urban Mass Transit Company (AUMTCO) who were displeased with the removal of Najib Mahmoud Abdussalam, managing director of the organisation.

In response, Wike said no sentiment or emotions will be considered when doing what is right, adding that the reality on the ground was worrisome as regards the work evidence of the sacked officials.

He said political appointees should always be prepared to leave office at any time because a new administration could require a total change

“That is why when I watch people on video, crying that somebody has been removed and that he has been doing well. But the question is, if you have been doing well, where are the buses?” NAN reported Wike as saying.

“No sentiment, no emotions will be considered when we are doing what is right. We will do the right thing in the interest of the people.

“If you like, carry 20 people, put a video and cry as much as you want to cry, it will not bother us. What bothered us was the reality on the ground.

“You are not a civil servant where you will say nobody is supposed to retire you because you are not up to the age of retirement.

“Even as a minister, I can be relieved of my position now. You don’t need to cry; some other people will come and all we pray for is, let us get the best.”

Wike had inspected the progress of some projects in the FCT, including the completion of roads B6, B12 and Circle Road in the central area and the rehabilitation of the federal secretariat being handled by Julius Berger, among others.