By Stanley Onyekwere
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has declared that the visible delivery of critical infrastructure across Abuja has permanently changed citizens’ perception of governance and vindicated the ruling administration’s policies.
Speaking to reporters during an unscheduled inspection tour of ongoing satellite town developments, a visibly pleased Wike stated that the massive infrastructure rollouts under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope” agenda are proof that governance is actively improving the lives of everyday Nigerians.
The Minister’s tour concluded at the Gbazango Road network—popularly known as Arab Road—in the Kubwa district.
Handled by construction firm Zeberced, the road is designated as one of the flagship projects to be commissioned in celebration of President Tinubu’s third year in office.
Expressing deep satisfaction with the contractors for installing streetlights, complete drainage channels, and keeping to rigorous timelines, Wike announced that the official commissioning window will commence on Monday, June 8.
“We never gave any notice that we were coming here, except to the company to see how far they have gone,” Wike noted, as crowds of cheering local residents gathered.
“Truly, we are happy. The company has done a good work with the drainages and the streetlights. The people are happy, and we are also happy.
“This shows that we are completely ready for the third anniversary of Mr. President, as promised.”
When asked what the enthusiastic reception from the local populace meant for the federal administration’s development blueprint, Wike responded: “It shows that the Renewed Hope agenda has come to change their lives. Things were bad before now, but things are getting better. They never believed that they could have this road.
“They never felt the impact of governance before—they only heard about ‘government’ but didn’t know what it meant.
“Now, they know what the government is all about: changing lives and bringing development.
“That is the essence of governance. We have been vindicated” — Wike blasts the opposition alliance.
The FCT Minister launched a scathing critique against opposition alignment strategies following reports that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, had distanced himself from a major political alliance over internal friction.
Wike asserted that the public falling-out within the opposition elements confirms his long-held stance that cross-party coalitions are often built entirely on personal and selfish interests rather than national development.
He said: “This morning during my media chat, I did say there is no genuine coalition. All you see is personal, selfish interest.
“The moment they quarrel with the leadership of the country, or they don’t get what they want, they gather together and claim the government is not doing well.”
Wike pointed directly to allegations concerning former Vice President and People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, noting that the fractures within these parties have paved a smooth path for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the next general elections.
“You can see what Babachir Lawal said—complaining about the rigging and manipulation machine of Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. I said it earlier: if you are a politician, you would understand that the entire structure of that coalition was explicitly rigged for Atiku.
“There was no need to waste time participating. We have been completely vindicated. For someone like Babachir to come out and say that means things are incredibly bad in their so-called mushroom political parties. Nobody should bother asking if any opposition coalition will be strong.
“Nothing is strong there. The coast is now very clear for Mr. President to be re-elected in 2027,” he stated.
The FCT Administration reaffirmed that it will continue its aggressive urban renewal and satellite town construction layouts to ensure no community in the nation’s capital is left behind.
