Nyesom Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and immediate past Rivers State governor Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, on Wednesday taunted erstwhile critics of his association with President Bola Tinubu, declaring that he had now been vindicated by their defecting in droves to the ruling All Progressives Congress, (APC).
Newsmata.com.ng reports that Wike’s castigation came on the heels of defections by Governors Peter Mbah of Enugu State and Douye Diri of Bayelsa State from the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) to the APC. He said his political choices have now been vindicated and chided his traducers that politics should be left for the mature-minded.
Speaking at the flag-off of the construction of the main carriageways of the Outer Southern Expressway OSEX from Ring Road 1 to Ring Road 2 along Wassa Road, Abuja, Wike said “I have been watching on television and social media, those who accused me of destabilising the PDP and working for APC; all of them are now in APC.
“If it is true I worked for APC, then they should commend me, not condemn me. It means I did a good job for them”.
Restating his unalloyed loyalty to President Tinubu, Wike insisted that the administration’s policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy, have transformed the financial standing of states and the FCT, putting an end to the era where governors had to chase banks for loans just to pay salaries.
According to him, “I was a governor for eight years, and I know what it meant to run around banks to borrow money for projects and even to pay salaries. But today, by the decisive leadership of Mr. President, banks are now the ones running after states. Salaries are being paid, projects are being executed, and no governor is talking about leaving huge debts for successors. That is visionary leadership”.
Positing that the visible infrastructure projects currently taking shape in the nation’s capital were a direct product of President Tinubu’s purposeful leadership, the FCT minister said “Whatever we are seeing today in FCT is as a result of that leadership. Once you set the standard, everyone you appoint must follow suit”.
Wike used the occasion to remind Apo traders that plans for their relocation were still on course, disclosing that the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA had concluded costings for the provision of infrastructure at the new site.
On the OSEX project, he emphasised its strategic importance in decongesting traffic into the city, noting that “Before the Apo–Wassa road was done, it took hours to enter the city. It was horrible. But gradually, we are delivering happiness to the people of the FCT”.
Wike commended FCT Area Council chairmen for working across party lines to support his administration, describing such unity as unprecedented.
Also present at the event was former Super Eagles captain, Joseph Yobo, who Wike described as “a brother” committed to supporting youth-focused initiatives in Abuja.
In her vote of thanks, Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, acknowledged the project as “a bold step toward easing traffic flow, stimulating economic activities and enhancing mobility for residents.”
She praised President Tinubu for “constantly reminding Nigerians that progress is not just in policy but in the visible transformation of lives and communities”.
Mahmoud commended Wike for turning the FCT into “a construction powerhouse and a beacon of national renewal.”
