Businessman Isaac Fayose, has criticized Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike over his recent comments on roaming cattle in Abuja.
Fayose accused Wike of showing more concern for cows than for human beings.
Speaking in reaction to Wike’s media chat on Tuesday, Fayose questioned why the minister would avoid addressing the issue of cattle grazing on Abuja roads. During the chat, Wike had declined to elaborate on the matter, describing it as a national security issue and not his responsibility.
“Yesterday, I watched Wike’s media chat. He answered all the questions, but when it comes to cows, he said ‘why do we have cows?’” Fayose said. “Government wey dey fear cow, but are quick to disrespect human beings. That is where you know that the government are on selective development.”
The younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, also drew attention to the recent criticism of Cardinal Onaiyekan, who had stated that the country is bleeding. He argued that if the country is doing well, the children of government officials would be graduating from Nigerian universities rather than abroad.
“I can see many of them attacking Cardinal Onaiyekan stating the obvious that the country is bleeding. If the country is not bleeding, why are all your children graduating from the UK and US universities? If the country is doing well, why did Wike’s daughter not graduate from Nsukka or OAU?” he asked.
Wike had earlier on Tuesday held a media chat with selected journalists in Abuja, where he responded to questions on insecurity and other challenges in the Federal Capital Territory.
When asked about steps being taken to address complaints from residents over cattle grazing along major roads, including the route to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, the minister said.
“I won’t talk about cows. It’s a matter of national security. I have said it severally.”
He also maintained that security challenges were not peculiar to the FCT, arguing that no country was completely free from insecurity. “When you say pockets of insecurity, where in this world is everywhere safe? Even America is facing insecurity, France, and Spain,” he said.
The minister also blamed abandoned and uncompleted buildings for contributing to insecurity in the nation’s capital, saying many such structures had become hideouts for criminal elements.
“The uncompleted buildings are also part of insecurity,” he added.
This is not the first time Wike has addressed the issue. About two months ago, during his monthly media briefing on June 1, he apologized to Abuja residents over the continued presence of cattle on the city’s roads, admitting that the problem had persisted despite the administration’s efforts.
He said,
“I apologise that up till now there are cows still roaming the streets of Abuja; I take responsibility.”
At the time, Wike disclosed that the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Livestock Development, had been engaging Miyetti Allah and other stakeholders as part of efforts to promote ranching and move cattle away from the city.
He also described the sight of roaming cattle as an “eyesore,” while stressing that lasting solutions would require collaboration among relevant authorities.
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