Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), says many civil servants do not like him because he blocks what he describes as avenues for the diversion of public funds. Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja, Wike links the lack of goodwill to his spending decisions, particularly his refusal to approve costly official trips and conferences he considers wasteful. He cites examples of requests to fund travel for short conferences abroad, which he says would divert money from projects that directly benefit residents. Wike also says his administration has changed the FCT budget priority by reducing recurrent spending and increasing capital expenditure. According to his account, before he assumed office about 65% of the FCT budget went to recurrent expenditure, and he directed a shift to 70% for capital expenditure and 30% for recurrent spending. He argues that redirecting funds has enabled more resources to be used for infrastructure development, including road construction. Wike says he would rather face criticism than approve spending patterns he views as opportunities for corruption.