Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has slammed critics who insist the President Tinubu administration is underperforming, saying such people are “politically expired” and blind to ongoing progress.
Speaking on Wednesday during the flag-off and commissioning of road projects in the Ushafa-Bwari area of Abuja, Wike aimed at long-time political critics who, he claimed, had drifted across multiple parties since 1999, yet still fail to acknowledge progress.
“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.
“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,” Wike stated.
The commissioning, which had in attendance the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, who represented President Tinubu, marked the dualisation and upgrade of the War College/Army checkpoint road and other auxiliary roads in the Ushafa-Bwari axis of the FCT.
Wike also used the occasion to praise the contractors and the FCT project coordinator for delivering on their assignments. He, however, issued a stern reminder about his leadership style and expectations.
“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. There are people you give a position, and they think it’s just for publicity. Some take it as an opportunity to express themselves instead of doing the actual work,” the minister said. Highlighting the “unprecedented” attention being given to neglected parts of the FCT, Wike lauded President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for physically identifying with communities in satellite towns.
“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,” the former Rivers governor said.
The newly commissioned road project, he said, is part of a broader effort to extend development to underserved communities across the FCT.