EXTRA: Wike denies collapse rumour, says he’ll write condolence letters of detractors

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has denied the rumour that he recently collapsed due to ill-health.

Wike spoke on Thursday while inspecting ongoing projects in the FCT, including the International Conference Centre (ICC).

Last week, some reports on social media claimed that the FCT minister collapsed in Abuja and was flown outside the country for treatment.

Wike described the rumour as the handiwork of persons trying to score cheap political points.

He added that the rumour was circulated to divert attention from the allegations against Siminalayi Fubara, suspended governor of Rivers, by George Nwaeke, the state’s former head of service.

The FCT minister said he will sign condolence letters for those who wish him dead.

“I don’t want to give credence to people who are only interested in carrying rumours. First of all, I am a human being, it is not a ghost that would collapse,” Wike said.

“It is human beings that would collapse if there is any problem with their health. Unfortunately, I did not collapse and I did not show any sign that I have any health problem.

“Let me tell you what happened. What happened was that you saw that the former head of service in Rivers state came out to let the public know what was going on, how they planned to bomb the house of assembly complex and how they planned to attack national assets.

“In order to divert attention from people not focusing on that, they had to bring one rumour that they have been flown overseas.

“There was no time I collapsed, there was no time anybody took me overseas. But you see me everyday. The day Mr President broke iftar on his birthday, I was there.

“The next day, I led Abuja residents to pay Sallah homage. You see, all those stories just died down.

“This is politics. We have thick skin. Those things don’t bother us. We are not distracted. We are focused on our jobs.

“You have seen that I am even healthier than most of them who carried that rumour and I will write their condolence letters. I can assure you that I will write their condolence letters. So, there is nothing like that.”