FCT: Stay Focused or Step Aside — NDF Slams Wike for Prioritizing Political Foes over Abuja Woes

By Abubakar Yunusa

The Nigeria Democratic Front (NDF) has strongly criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, for what they describe as a misuse of his office to further personal political battles rather than focus on the critical needs of Abuja.

The group, in a statement issued on October 26, 2024, and signed by its Spokesman, Engr. Ikenna Ellis Ezenekwe, admonished Wike to direct his attention to his primary responsibilities within the FCT, which they say are being neglected amidst rising insecurity and educational challenges.

They expressed concerns about increasing insecurity and social issues in the FCT under Wike’s watch, citing the rise in kidnapping incidents and alarming dropout rates among school-aged children.

“The capital is facing critical challenges that require a steady, committed leader,” they noted.

NDF said statistics revealed that the number of out-of-school children in the FCT has climbed by 35% over the past two years, a trend they attribute to a lack of focus on developmental issues within the Federal Capital. They however argued that, Wike, instead of prioritizing critical developmental issues, has diverted attention and public resources toward long-standing political disputes in Rivers State hundreds of miles away, including his confrontations with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the Rivers State government.

“It is unbecoming of a Federal Minister to prioritize his personal political vendettas over public duty or use federal resources to fuel personal and political conflicts in Rivers State rather than addressing the pressing issues affecting Abuja’s residents,” the statement declared, accusing Wike of using his office’s resources for what they described as “brinkmanship and divisive politics.”

Speaking further, they cited Wike’s alleged involvement in attempts to destabilize PDP-controlled states, interfere with local governance in Rivers State, impeach the sitting governor of the state, halting monthly federal allocations to Rivers State Local Government Areas (LGAs), and blocking democratic processes such as local government elections. NDF denounced these actions as “mischievous” and warned that such actions and moves could amplify tensions and undermine the credibility of the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration.

“These actions are symptomatic of a broader intent to politically weaponize his office, and such moves threaten to derail governance and inflame existing regional tensions,” they warned.

“We are calling on the FCT Minister to stop the mischief and face his front. The people of Nigeria do not need this extra distraction. The socio-political climate is already tense enough, and actions that disregard pressing public welfare in favour of personal ambitions serve only to deepen instability.

“Nigerians are weary of political theatrics; the FCT deserves a leader focused on solutions, not distractions. It’s time to face your duties, Wike — or you step aside,” they concluded.