The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has lashed out at critics who accuse the administration of President Bola Tinubu of underperforming, describing them as “politically expired” and blind to the visible progress across the country.
Wike made these remarks on Wednesday during the flag-off and commissioning of key road projects in the Ushafa-Bwari area of Abuja. According to him, many of those who keep faulting the administration’s efforts have drifted from one political party to another since 1999, yet refuse to acknowledge tangible development.
“Let them hear. Let those who don’t have vision, who are politically expired, and those who, since 1999, have belonged to over 10 political parties — let them see what you’re doing,” Wike said. “Whichever channel they want to watch, they will see Mr President. And yet, people are saying nothing is working. Must we come to their houses before they know something is working? Unfortunately, we won’t come to their houses.”
The event, which also featured Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Tinubu, marked the official commissioning of the dualization and upgrade of the War College/Army checkpoint road alongside other feeder roads in the Ushafa-Bwari axis of the FCT.
Wike commended the contractors and the FCT project coordinator for delivering on their assignments, while warning that his leadership style demands results. “Working with me is not easy. If you survive working with me, you can survive anywhere. You cannot be nominated for a position to just ‘chop’. You must work. You must make sacrifices and show that you have the capacity,” he said. “Some people take appointments as an opportunity to express themselves instead of doing the actual work.”
Highlighting what he described as unprecedented outreach to neglected parts of the FCT, Wike praised President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for visiting satellite towns and identifying with local communities — something he noted had never been done by past administrations.
“This is the first time a sitting President and Vice President will go to the satellite towns to identify with the people. It has never happened. This shows the love Mr. President has for the satellite towns,” Wike added.