As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marks his second year in office today, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has lauded his “tremendous” and “unprecedented” performance, particularly in the rapid transformation of Abuja’s infrastructure over the past two years.
The FCT Minister made these remarks in Abuja on Thursday, May 29, 2025, while briefing journalists, during a routine inspection of ongoing infrastructure projects slated for commissioning to commemorate the milestone.
Emphasizing the significant progress made under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Barrister Wike said, “From the FCT where I superintend by his mandate, you will know that Mr. President has done very well. It’s unprecedented”.
The Minister urged all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, to acknowledge the President’s tangible successes, sating, “Even if you don’t like somebody as a person, when he does a good thing, you say yes, I’m not in good terms with him, I don’t like him, but he is doing well or he has done well”.
The Minister highlighted the dramatic improvements in the FCT, which he attributed to the leadership style to President Tinubu. He said, “All of us were critics that Abuja has not been working and now Abuja is working. Who has made it to work? It’s Mr. President. So, Mr. President has done very well.”
Barrister Wike who was greeted by enthusiastic “four plus four” chants from FCT residents during the project inspection, interpreted the chant as a clear mandate for President Tinubu to serve another term. “What they are saying is that Mr. President has done four years and we should give him another four years,” he noted, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to be part of an administration delivering on its promises.
The Minister provided updates on several key projects all set to be inaugurated as part of the anniversary celebrations, including 15kilometres OSEX II to Wasa road, connecting Apo and Wasa District which was fully completed as well as the Arterial Road N20 interchange across the ONEX and the Collector Road CN8 (Asuquo Okon Way) from Arterial Road N5 (Obafemi Awolowo Way) to Arterial Road N1 (Olusegun Obasanjo Way), all nearing completion.
Responding to questions on the absence of streetlights on the OSEX II to Wasa road, Barrister Wike clarified that the project was initiated by a previous administration over a decade ago. However, in line with President Tinubu’s commitment to continuity, the current administration is dedicated to its completion. Hence, he confirmed that a quotation for streetlights has been submitted by CGC, and while they may not be part of the upcoming inauguration, installation will proceed subsequently, to enhance security in the area. “Be rest assured that we are going to put streetlights on that OSEX II, Apo to Wasa,” he affirmed.
He reiterated the commitment of the FCT Administration to providing the best for Abuja residents, and urged residents to also fulfill their civic obligations to support the ongoing development. “The people of Abuja deserve the best and the contractors are doing their best, I can assure you that. For me, there cannot be anything less. All we are saying is for the residents also to perform their own obligation so that we will all work together for the interest of Abuja and the entire Nigerians”.
Addressing the protracted strike by primary school teachers in the FCT over the non-payment of the new minimum wage, Barrister Wike expressed deep concern, equating the denial of education to “trying to cause a coup in the country or in the FCT”. He assured the public that all the issues will soon be resolved, saying, “everything is being done to see that the teachers go back to school”.
The Minister also spoke on the roles of the National Assembly Committees on FCT Area Councils regarding the matter, urging them to focus on their primary responsibilities, particularly regarding the Area Councils, to help resolve the strike. The Minister said, “Nobody can feel happy that primary school teachers are at home. It’s a basic thing that we must do and I can assure you, very soon, that matter will be resolved”.
RABI MUSA UMAR
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE HON. MINISTER)
29/05/2025
FCTA/ODP/PR/692
