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Tag: Wike

  • We won’t let those we accepted into PDP kill our party – Wike

    We won’t let those we accepted into PDP kill our party – Wike

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike says he and other founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not allow those who joined PDP from other parties to kill the party.

    Wike said this on Sunday during the 104th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction of the party held at the minister’s official residence in Abuja.

    The minister also berated the Tanimu Turaki-led faction of the party for violating court judgments by conducting what he described as an “illegal convention,”.

    He insisted that the party must respect judicial processes if it hopes to regain public confidence.

    He accused the faction of disregarding two substantive judgments of the Federal High Court, which he said had ruled on the matter, yet they proceeded to hold their own convention and later approached a State High Court to seek recognition.

    “You went to a State High Court to sue the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC), asking that the convention must take place

    “You got an ex-parte order to override judgments of the Federal High Court. How do you disobey two final judgments and still claim leadership?” he asked.

    Wike further stated that the same group returned to another court, seeking validation after failing to comply with lawful rulings.

    “You had the convention without obeying the court, and now you are back asking a Federal High Court to recognise you. If INEC already recognised you, what exactly are you going to court for?” he asked.

    The FCT minister warned that such actions could jeopardise the future of the party, stressing that leaders must not allow selfish interests to destroy the political platform that has existed since 1998.

    “We must not allow our party to die. Leadership requires commitment and honesty, not propaganda.

    “If we don’t respect our own laws, how do we earn respect from Nigerians?” Wike asked.

    He called on the party faithful to support lawful leadership and unite to rebuild the PDP in line with democratic principles and judicial integrity.

    Meanwhile, participants at the meeting urged the party’s NEC to constitute a Caretaker Committee to guide the party forward on grounds that the tenure of the current National Working Committee (NWC) expires on Tuesday.

    Responding, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT), Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, emphasised that the transition plan aligns with the party’s constitution to ensure administrative continuity, unity, and stability across all structures of the party.

    Ohuabunwa said the move was one of several measures designed to consolidate internal reforms, restore confidence among members, and strengthen compliance with the rule of law.

    He also highlighted the ongoing establishment of caretaker leadership in certain states and zones, such as Anambra and the South-East — where congresses could not be held earlier, describing these efforts as necessary to prevent leadership gaps and enhance party organization.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that at the end of the meeting, the NEC constituted a National Caretaker Committee as the tenure of the current NWC ends on Tuesday.

    The 13-member Caretaker Committee with Abdulrahman Mohammed as Chairman and Sen. Samuel Anyanwu as Secretary would run the affairs of the party, pending the conduct of a national convention.

    The NEC also appointed Kamaldeen Ajibade (SAN) as National Legal Adviser and Umar Bature as National Organising Secretary.

    Other members were:  Dr Kyari Grema, Janguda Mohammed, Okechukwu Osuana, Sen. Nwogu Olaka, Sen. Sandy Onor, Prof. Adenike Ogunse, Bisi Kolawole, Deji Doherty, and Dr Ibrahim Aboki.

    The caretaker committee has been mandated to run the affairs of the party for a period of 60 days, during which all pending congresses should be conducted and a national convention should be held.

    (NAN)

  • Wike’s PDP faction holds BoT meeting in Abuja, reaffirms plan to restore party stability

    Wike’s PDP faction holds BoT meeting in Abuja, reaffirms plan to restore party stability

    The faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) aligned with Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, convened its Board of Trustees (BoT) meeting on Sunday in Abuja.

    In his opening remarks, BoT Chairman Senator Mao Ohuabunwa reiterated the body’s commitment to rebuilding confidence within the party and conducting congresses in states where they remain outstanding.

    He assured members that the national leadership is prepared to work closely with state chapters to deliver renewed leadership and strengthen party structures nationwide.

    Read Also: 2027: ADC plotting to destabilise Enugu, APC alleges

    Ohuabunwa outlined the faction’s priority steps: completing overdue state congresses, consolidating current gains, and supporting the national leadership to reposition the party.

    He described these measures as essential to promoting unity, transparency, and deeper grassroots participation.

    “By holding timely congresses and reinforcing organizational discipline, the PDP hopes to rebuild trust among members and present a more organized and credible front ahead of future elections,” he said.

    Details shortly…

  • Wike sacks  FCT-IRS Acting Chairman

    Wike sacks  FCT-IRS Acting Chairman

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has sacked the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Mr Michael Ango.

    This was made known in a statement on Friday by the Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

    The most senior official of the FCT-IRS has also been directed to take over the running of the revenue agency with immediate effect.

    Read Also: Shettima reaffirms Tinubu administration’s commitment to traditional institutions

    Reasons for his sack were not made known to the public at the time of writing this report.

    Ango’s appointment as the acting Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS) was approved by President Bola Tinubu last August.

    The acting chair of FCT-IRS, who hails from Kebbi State, was given the mandate to oversee the implementation of strategic initiatives to enhance revenue generation and ensure fiscal sustainability at the time of his appointment.

    Ango holds an LLM degree from Columbia University School of Law, New York and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

  • Wike sacks FCT-IRS acting chairman

    Wike sacks FCT-IRS acting chairman

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday sacked the Acting Executive Chairman of the Federal Capital Territory Internal Revenue Service (FCT-IRS), Mr. Michael Ango.

    This was made known in a statement by the Senior Special Assistant (SSA), to the Minister of Public Communication and Social Media, Lere Olayinka.

    Read Also: Shettima reaffirms Tinubu administration’s commitment to traditional institutions

    The most senior official of the FCT-IRS has also been directed to take over the running of the revenue agency with immediate effect. 

    Reasons for his sack was not made known as at the time of filing this report. 

  • Why Rivers speaker, 15 lawmakers defected to APC, by Wike

    Why Rivers speaker, 15 lawmakers defected to APC, by Wike

    …says he remains in PDP

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, on Friday, attributed the recent defection of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly and 15 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the deepening internal crisis within the PDP.

    Speaking with journalists after inspecting ongoing road projects in Abuja, Wike said the defections reflected the level of factionalisation in the party.

    He noted that although the lawmakers did not inform him before their move, they acted within their constitutional rights.

    “It’s unfortunate. I have always said everybody has the right to make a choice. The party is fully factionalized. And the Constitution requires that when a party is factionalized, members are allowed to leave,” he said.

    Despite the situation, Wike insisted he remains in the PDP.

    “I’m still in the PDP. You will see that it’s not everybody who has left. I believe 16 or 17 of them have left out of 27. We still have a good number, about 10, and we will continue to work together,” he stated.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Rivers Speaker, other Assembly members defect to APC

    Wike urged the PDP leadership to urgently address its internal issues, warning that prolonged disunity would diminish the party’s cohesion and political relevance.

    “At the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it is the party that is losing,” he said.

    He also dismissed reports that he had been arrested in France, describing the claims as politically motivated distractions.

    “People would like to distract you. But the moment you are focused, you know what you are doing, you will not be perturbed,” he said, recalling previous false claims about his health and whereabouts. “Last time they said I was sick and flown overseas. This time, they said I was arrested in France. I’m doing my job.”

    Wike said his focus remains on delivering on the mandate assigned to him by the President, stressing that continued performance will silence critics.

    “As long as my boss, who is the President, is happy with what I am doing, and I am focused on delivering the mandate, people will say all kinds of things,” he said.

    The minister noted that infrastructural delivery across the FCT remains a priority and urged residents to support the Federal Government.

    He expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work on ongoing road projects, saying many contractors were working ahead of funding due to their confidence in the administration.

    “This will decongest the traffic situation leading to Gwarinpa Estate,” he added.

  • Re: ‘The trial of Minister Wike’

    Re: ‘The trial of Minister Wike’

    • By TJ ISHOLA

    Sanya Oni’s article, The Trial of Minister Wike, makes an earnest attempt to situate the Wike–Lieutenant Yerima incident within the broader question of civil–military relations in Nigeria. But in doing so, it performs a delicate rhetorical dance—one that inadvertently obscures more than it clarifies and shifts responsibility away from the central actors whose misconduct precipitated the confrontation in the first place.

    The article laments “institutional arrogance” within the military and warns against the inflation of Lieutenant Yerima into a national hero. Fair points – if taken in isolation. But the central flaw in Oni’s framing is the attempt to recast the entire confrontation as a morality lesson on military indiscipline, while glossing over the far more troubling and well-documented pattern of ministerial impunity that led to the encounter.

    A case of selective outrage

    Oni presents Wike’s invasion of the site as a bold, almost revolutionary attempt to “enforce the law”—a minister heroically confronting uniformed obstructionists. Yet this reading ignores the consistent and documented pattern of the FCT Minister ignoring due process, bypassing advisory mechanisms, and reducing the technical administration of Abuja to an arena for political theatrics.

    The question is not whether the military can be overbearing. It can be. But in this case:

    It was not the military that allocated land in breach of planning regulations.

    Read Also: ‘Reliance on foreign model stunts growth’

    It was not the military that failed to follow established administrative procedures before attempting demolition.

    It was not the military that showed up with cameras, commissioners, and a full parade of senior civil servants in the middle of an unresolved dispute.

    Sanya Oni calls the official entourage a “horde of directors,” but fails to acknowledge that their presence is itself an indictment of the FCT’s governance style: spectacle over substance.

    The central issue: Abuse of executive discretion

    The article accuses the military of “obstruction” but fails to mention the unresolved legality of the land itself, or Wike’s obligation to obtain a court order or follow internal resolution protocols before attempting enforcement.

    Instead of asking the obvious questions—

    Was the revocation lawful?

    Was the process complete?

    Was enforcement premature?

    Did the minister follow internal dispute-resolution channels?

    The columnist opts for easier targets: military arrogance, public sentiment, and the supposed irrational defence of the uniform.

    It is a misdirection. Civilian oversight does not mean ministerial absolutism

    Oni rightly notes that the military must be subordinate to civilian authority. But subordination does not mean blind obedience to ministerial overreach. Civilian authority is exercised within the rule of law—not through public outbursts, ad-hoc enforcement, or personalised interpretations of power.

    When a minister attempts enforcement in a legally contested scenario without exhausting procedural requirements, the duty of any disciplined officer—military or civilian—is to prevent escalation, not to surrender judgment at the altar of political theatrics.

    Yerima’s conduct is not above scrutiny, but neither does it warrant demonisation simply to vindicate the minister’s excesses.

    A troubling attempt to normalise the deployment of soldiers for private purposes

    Oni rightly criticises the use of naval personnel to guard private property, yet simultaneously treats Wike’s manner of intervention as a legitimate assertion of state authority. But one abuse does not sanitise another.

    The real scandal is twofold: A former service chief appropriated public land and deployed uniformed personnel for private security; a serving minister, instead of pursuing legal redress, chose confrontation as spectacle.

    Reducing this complex illegality to a quarrel over “respect for the uniform” trivialises the matter.

    The heroism debate: A false binary

    Oni mocks the framing of Lt. Yerima as a hero. But the defenders of Yerima are not necessarily valorising him—they are condemning what they perceive as Wike’s habitual disregard for institutional norms.

    The pushback is not about the heroism of a young Lieutenant. It is about the public humiliation of a junior officer by a minister who has developed a reputation for conflating personal authority with the authority of the state.

    And to dismiss this concern as “nonsense” is to ignore the repeated incidents in which this minister has insulted civil servants, berated professionals on camera, and treated the FCT like a personal fiefdom.

    If Nigeria is truly committed to building robust democratic institutions, then the conversation cannot begin and end with military subordination.

    We must also ask:

    What are the limits of ministerial power?

    When does executive impatience become executive lawlessness?

    Should a minister be permitted to perform enforcement operations live on camera?

    What safeguards exist for junior officers dealing with politically powerful figures?

    These are the questions Oni’s article sidesteps.

    The drumbeat of dangerous hyperbole

    Oni criticises Buratai’s comparison of verbal confrontation with treason—a valid criticism. But the article remains strangely silent on the minister’s own use of inflammatory, provocative language that escalated tensions rather than de-escalating them.

    You cannot criticise one side’s hyperbole and treat the other’s as administrative enthusiasm.

    Conclusion: No one is above the law — not the military, not the minister

    Oni is right that we must resist the militarisation of civilian life. But we must also resist the political personalisation of public institutions.

    Wike’s conduct was neither an ode to democracy nor a defence of the rule of law. Yerima’s action was neither heroic nor treasonous.

    The incident is simply the latest illustration of the institutional disorder that arises when public officials—civilian or military—operate outside established procedures and accountability frameworks.

    Nigeria does not need more articles framing this confrontation as a morality tale with heroes and villains. What we need is an honest conversation about executive impunity, military overreach, abuse of state resources, the politicisation of law enforcement, and the weakening of institutions through personal ego and performative governance.

    On these matters, Sanya Oni’s article is unfortunately more obfuscation than clarity.

    •Yusuf writes from United Kingdom.

  • Opinion: Chief. Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, My Politician/Personality of the Year

    Opinion: Chief. Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON, My Politician/Personality of the Year

    In the complex and often unpredictable and dynamic landscape of Nigerian politics today, defined by shifting political alliances and bold reforms, few figures have stood out as much as H.E Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, the former governor of Rivers State and the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). For me, Nyesom Wike is not just a politician- he is a symbol of courage, determination and visionary leadership. His life and career reflect a man driven by passion for service, an unyielding spirit and an unwavering commitment to excellence in governance. H.E Ezenwo Nyesom Wike’s political influence, resilience, and ability to navigate Nigeria’s turbulent political spectrum makes him a fitting choice as my politician/personality of all time.

    Born on December 13th, 1967, in Rumuepirikom, Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers state, Wike’s journey from a local government chairman, to state governor and now to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is a remarkable testament to hard work, focus, and sheer political will. Over the years, he has proven himself as a man who not only understands the dynamics of leadership but also possesses the ability to deliver on his promises and he also stand tall as bold and courageous leader.

    As Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, Wike transformed the state through massive infrastructural development, urban renewal projects, and improved public services. His administration as governor of Rivers State earned him the name “Mr. Project” – a title well deserved, given his unmatched record in road construction, healthcare development, education and urban beautification. Under his leadership, Rivers State witnessed the construction of world-class flyovers, bridges and public buildings that changed the face of Port Harcourt and environs.

    Beyond infrastructure, Wike also showed uncommon boldness in political engagements, he spoke truth to power, defended his convictions and stood firm even in the face of opposition. His outspokenness and fearless disposition have made him one of Nigeria’s most talked-about political figures-a man whose opinions shape national conversations.

    Read Also: Wike revokes Apo-Karshi road contract

    Wike has demonstrated an uncommon ability to command relevance beyond his home base, ensuring that his voice is not just heard but felt across the sphere of national politics. As governor, he left a legacy of infrastructural development and bold leadership in Rivers State and his transition to the national stage has proven most remarkable. From shaping debates within his party, to forging unexpected alliances, Wike has shown a rare political instinct of balancing loyalty with pragmatism. The hallmark of his political strength lies in his fearless approach, whether challenging entrenched interest, or speaking bluntly on issues others shy away from, Wike embodies a brand of politics that is direct, assertive, and unapologetically people-centered. His stewardship of the FCT has further underlined his capacity to deliver results, with visible transformations in administration, security, and infrastructure. Under his leadership today, the FCT is facing an entire overhaul of infrastructural development like never before.

    At the FCT, Wike has brought a hands-on leadership style that has delivered visible changes in city planning, infrastructure, administration, and security. His ability to cut through bureaucratic inertia and drive results is rare trait in a political environment often plagued by hesitation. Of course, Wike remains a polarizing figure, his methods are sometimes criticized as combative, and his bluntness often unsettles allies and opponents alike, yet, even his critics acknowledge his effectiveness. In a political climate often defined by passivity and indecision, Wike’s decisiveness is refreshing. Wike’s blunt rhetoric and uncompromising approach can unsettle even close allies. Yet, in democracy where timidity too often replaces boldness, Wike’s decisiveness stands out both refreshing and effective. His commitment and loyalty to friendship is second to none, unless betrayed (as in the case of Tambuwal during 2023 PDP’s presidential primary election).

    Wike’s political skill also lies in his uncanny ability to remain relevant regardless of shifting dynamics. A key broker in the 2023 elections, his alliances and decisions altered the balance of forces in the ruling and opposition parties alike. His voice continues to carry weight, not just in Rivers State, but across the federation when majority of the former governors of his era have moved into political oblivion.

    By naming or recognizing H.E Nyesom Ezenwo Wike as my Personality of all time, I recognize not perfection (because no human being is) but his undeniable impact on the Nigeria’s political narrative in 2025, my long-time love and admiration of his person, style of politics and leadership. He has redefined relevance, proven his staying power, and confirmed himself as one of the most influential figures shaping Nigeria’s democratic journey. In Nigeria’s ever-demanding political landscape, Wike has once again proven that courage and clarity are indispensable qualities of enduring relevance. What makes Nyesom Wike my personality of all time is his ability to lead with both vision and courage. He embodies the qualities of a true leader- one who inspires, delivers and stand tall in the storm. His achievements and resilience remind me that greatness is born from hard work, confidence, and an unwavering belief in one’s purpose.

    In a nation yearning for bold leadership, Wike’s rise and continued dominance underscore a timeless truth: politics rewards those who combine vision with courage. For that reason, H.E Nyesom Ezenwo Wike earns this distinction as my Personality of all time- a man whose legacy of leadership and courage will continue to inspire generations to come.

    Wike the conqueror, the champion, the lion….

    “As e dey sweet us, e dey pain dem”

    Wike, you’re my favorite personality any day, any time!!!

    Rilwan is a university lecturer; he wrote from Bauchi.

    rilwanusabo111@gmail.com,

  • Wike hints on partnering with private sector over smooth operation of Abuja bus terminals

    Wike hints on partnering with private sector over smooth operation of Abuja bus terminals

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Saturday disclosed that the FCT Administration will work with the private sector for the smooth operation of bus terminals in the territory.

    Wike disclosed this while briefing reporters, shortly after a routine inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects in the Abuja ity centre and the Area Councils.

    He said the administration plans to partner with private individuals to contribute buses and taxis, all painted in the Abuja colour, but the government will kick-start the operations of the terminals with its own fleet of vehicles, stressing that the initiative will help to eliminate the “one chance” syndrome by ensuring vehicles are identifiable.

    “Eventually, the government will have to partner with the private individuals, but for now the government has to put in their own contribution, so we can start-off the operation of the bus terminals with vehicles that will be painted in the Abuja colour. That again will help as we try to eliminate the ‘one-chance’ syndrome. You know you are entering a vehicle and you can identify it. So private people are also going to be part of it, but this is our own contribution before that starts,” he stated.

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    Providing more updates on the Central Business District (CBD) Bus terminal which he inspected, the Minister noted its high quality and uniqueness in comparison to the recently commissioned Kugbo and Mabushi terminals and commended the contractor for a good job.

    He said: “As regards the bus terminal in Central Area, I am quite impressed with the quality of the job. If you check it, it is quite different from the one commissioned in Kugbo and Mabushi.  The contractor is bent on finishing it by the end of the year. I believe by then the vehicles which were procured for the take-off of those terminals would have also arrived”.

    The minister expressed strong dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work on the crucial 15km Pai/Gomani road, which connects remote communities in Kwali Area Council to the Abuja/Lokoja Expressway, noting that it was awarded before the A2 to Pai section of the road of the same length, which has since been completed and commissioned.

    He also expressed serious frustration over the issue of unauthorised cost variation on the project, lamenting that the purported variation amount was nearly equivalent to the original project cost, which exceeded his ministerial approval limit.

    The Minister warned that any official within the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) found culpable of carrying out work or recommending variations without following the required approval process will be sanctioned.

  • Wike moves to partner private sector for smooth operation of Abuja bus terminals

    Wike moves to partner private sector for smooth operation of Abuja bus terminals

    …minister faults slow pace of work on 15km Pai-Gomani road project in Kwali 

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has announced that the FCT Administration will collaborate with the private sector to ensure the smooth operation of bus terminals across the territory.

    Wike made the disclosure on Saturday while briefing reporters after a routine inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects within the Abuja city centre and the Area Councils.

    He explained that the Administration plans to partner with private individuals who will provide buses and taxis painted in Abuja colours. 

    However, he noted that the government will commence operations with its own fleet to ensure orderliness and enhance commuter safety, particularly by eliminating the “one chance” menace through easy vehicle identification.

    “Eventually, the government will have to partner with private individuals, but for now, government has to put in their own contribution so we can start off the operation of the bus terminals with vehicles that will be painted in the Abuja colour. That again will help as we try to eliminate the one chance syndrome. You know you are entering a vehicle and you can identify it. So private people are also going to be part of it, but this is our own contribution before that starts,” he said.

    Giving an update on the Central Business District (CBD) Bus Terminal, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the quality and uniqueness of the project compared to the recently commissioned Kugbo and Mabushi terminals. 

    He commended the contractor and said he was confident the project would be completed by year-end, by which time the vehicles procured for the terminal operations would have arrived.

    On the Pai/Gomani road project, Wike voiced strong dissatisfaction over the slow pace of work on the 15-kilometre road linking remote communities in Kwali Area Council to the Abuja/Lokoja Expressway.

    He criticised the contractor for poor performance despite the project being awarded before the A2–Pai section, which has already been completed and commissioned. 

    He further decried the issue of an unauthorised cost variation, noting that the revised amount was nearly equal to the original project cost and exceeded his approval limit.

    According to the minister, “Frankly speaking, I’m not too impressed. That road was awarded before the A2 to Pai, and we have commissioned that. It appears there isn’t much communication between the STDD and the contractor.

    “There appears to be issues of variation, and I am not too comfortable with that, and when we go back, we will look at that, and those who did not do what they are supposed to do will have to be sanctioned because people believe that you can go ahead without certain approvals. I don’t have the power to give that kind of approval when it comes to that kind of amount of money”.

    The minister warned that any official within the Satellite Town Development Department (STDD) found culpable for carrying out work or recommending variations without following the required approval process will be sanctioned.

    He said, “The Satellite Town Development did not seek approval because the amount I was told is almost the same amount that the original cost was awarded and you know I don’t have such power. That contract was awarded by the Federal Executive Council, so it is beyond my power, and for you to get that, you have to write to the President to get approval for variation, and then you go back to Department of Public Procurement to approve the cost, and then you go back to the Federal Executive Council for the final approval. That’s why I said those who carried it out without seeking for approval, will have to be sanctioned.”

    Despite the setback on the Pai-Gomani road, the Minister revealed the award of a new contract for 13 kilometres Gomani to Yangoji road to be carried out by Zeberced Construction Company which also executed the A2-Pai road project. He expressed confidence in the capacity of the contractor to deliver a good job in time for the third anniversary celebration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. 

    The FCT Minister used the occasion to also emphasize the commitment of the FCT Administration to the provision of rural infrastructure in accordance with the Renewed Hope Agenda, citing the unprecedented developmental projects across the FCT Area Councils, including the newly re-awarded Apo-Karshi road and the Kubwa to Bwari road projects, among others, as examples.

    He said, “This is the first time that satellite towns have been given priority. As I speak to you, you know we have cancelled the abandoned Apo-Karshi road project, which has now been given to Salini Construction Company (SCC), and as you go there now, work has started seriously. We have also started the one of Kubwa to Bwari, being handled by the same SCC. We also have the road to Kubwa where the quarries are. I am very happy with the kind of development that this administration has brought to the satellite towns.

    “So, people should appreciate the job this administration is doing, and I am happy that I am part of it, and I have seen the kind of development that has been taking place, not only in the city, but also in the satellite towns,” Wike stated.

  • Wike revokes Apo-Karshi road contract

    Wike revokes Apo-Karshi road contract

    The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday announced the revocation of the contract for the 13-kilometre Apo-Karshi Road, which was previously awarded to Kakatar Construction Company Ltd. in 2011.

    Wike said this in Abuja during an inspection tour of ongoing road projects, including the Karu-Customs-CBN Road, Gishiri-Katampe Road, and Apo-Wasa Carriageway.

    The minister, who expressed dissatisfaction with the previous contractor’s pace, disclosed that the project has been re-awarded under an emergency arrangement to SCC, a firm he described as having the required capacity.

    “Let me tell you the truth, we have terminated that contract; it has been re-awarded to SCC. If you go there now, you will see that they have started work,” he said.

    Wike stressed that road contracts should not be used to play politics with the welfare of the people.

    “We cannot continue to play politics when it comes to the welfare of the people. That road has been terminated,” he said.

    He also revealed that the road from Kubwa to Bwari has been awarded and that work has commenced, adding that it will serve as an alternative route.

    During the inspection at the Karu site, the minister assured a shop owner whose property was marked for demolition that the government would pay adequate compensation.

    He noted, however, that emotions would not be allowed to override public interest.

    “You cannot do something to block the water channels, and we are even sympathetic by saying that we were going to give you money, but we must allow the water to have its way, because if not, it will cause much flooding.

    “That will also not be good for the people living around there. So sometimes we should not be emotional. She’s crying. She did the wrong thing,” he said.

    He explained that the demolition was necessary to allow the free flow of water and prevent flooding in the area.

    The minister also expressed satisfaction with the warm reception he received from residents in the project areas, stating that it was an indication that people were pleased with the government’s development strides.

    “I have always said, what makes the government feel relaxed is when the people are happy. Of course, the very essence of governance is to make people happy and provide what improves their lives,” he said.

    Wike noted that the ongoing road projects would be commissioned during the third-anniversary celebration of President Bola Tinubu.

    The minister, however, stated that the FCTA would not award new contracts in 2026 but would instead focus on completing all ongoing projects.

    “In 2026, we are not likely to initiate any new projects. We want to make sure that the projects we have started this year will be completed in 2026,” he said.

    Wike further said the decision was informed by the fact that 2026 is a political year, hence the need to deliver on all ongoing projects for the benefit of all.