… says governance is beyond building roads and bridges
Senator Ireti Kingibe has asserted that former FCT Minister Nasir El-Rufai achieved more meaningful impact in Abuja than the current minister, Nyesom Wike.
In an interview on Channels Television’s Political Paradigm on Tuesday, Kingibe acknowledged Wike’s reputation for rolling out infrastructure projects across the capital. However, she argued that many of these initiatives overlook the day-to-day needs of ordinary residents.
“Infrastructure is important, but it’s not the sole measure of an effective minister,” Kingibe remarked. She pointed to El-Rufai’s tenure under President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying he not only built essential road networks but also engaged directly with issues affecting local communities.
“If you ask people in the FCT who did the best job, most would say El-Rufai. He built roads and was attentive to citizens,” she noted.
Kingibe went on to fault Wike for what she described as a disconnect from grassroots realities. She cited examples like the relocation of abattoirs without proper provision of facilities or security at the new sites.
“A truly effective minister must understand and address the real-life conditions people face—not just focus on physical projects,” she added.
