The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike has assured President Bola Tinubu would have no challenge in future elections in the FCT, stressing that residents can beat testimony to the fact that he is fulfilling his social contract to them.
Wike made this announcement this on Tuesday during the commission of the full-scope development of arterial road N 20 in the nation’s capital, Abuja.
“In fact, I don’t want to talk politics now but I do know that it will be difficult for anybody to challenge you in FCT. It will be very difficult. Well, the facts are there. The things are there. It is not for fun. It is not about theory now, it is about reality. You said you would do this, have you done it? Yes. You said you would do that, has he done it? Yes. So, what are we talking about?”, Wike queried.
Africa Today News, New York reports that incumbent presidents had often lost the territory to the opposition in past elections.
Meanwhile, in naming the road after Soyinka, the president said his decision followed the recommendation of Minister Wike who built the road within nine months.
Tinubu who praised Wike for ensuring that his Administration has a lot to celebrate within his first year in office, said his renewed hope agenda will touch every sector of the economy and every part of the Federation.
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He said; “To the honourable Minister of FCT and the entire team, my presence here is to say thank you very much for giving this government a very successful first year landing.
“You have inspired so many people and the acronym WIW – Wike is Working – is resonating with all of us. Today, there is a great value in the FCT. Talking about every part of Abuja, bringing economic prosperity to the people, I wonder what it will be like the value of your IGR when the real estate is brings real value to Abuja. It has been a great flurry of activities. The commissioning of the full scope development arterial road N 20, the Northern Parkway to Outer Northern Expressway is another testament to the actualization of our developmental agenda – to transform every part of this country. We will do it. Let me say here that your momentous and recommendation to name this road as Wole Soyinka Way is well received. He is our foremost Playwright, Novelist, Nobel Prize Winner. He has brought Nigeria fame and a pride of inter actions acclaim. Thank you for thinking that way. We all accept your recommendation on behalf of the people and Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“The completion of this strategic project with its underground system of wastewater duct and fiber optic and many other facilities cannot but be mentioned. The population of Nigeria is growing, the population of FCT is growing and it is necessary to invest in infrastructure to sustain the growth and being economic prosperity to our people. I want to say once again, thank you, Wike and the entire team. What more do you want me to say is that my heart is full of joy, full of pride because they thought you, Nyesom Wike will not perform. I heard that from several quarters. I made my choice. You didn’t let me and the country down. You are a worthy ally, creatively thinking and doing. The reforms you recommended were approved by me, which we are benefitting from as Permanent Secretaries and civil servants. The job you are creating during these activities is extremely encouraging while I said in Lagos during the kick-starting of the coastal road, then it was my bragging time. Today again, I can brag”, he added.
Earlier, Wike had explained the road project was awarded in 2020 for N30.6 billion and that since then, there has been no variation on the contract.
Noting that the president will have no issues winning elections in the FCT, the minister said he had instructed the Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority FCDA to always place side by side pictures of the old road and the new one so that people can remember where the territory waa coming from.
Wike also begged that the road be named after Soyinka, saying those who had done the country well ought to be celebrated.
“Your Excellency, other people, in fact you see the Keke Napep…I have told the ES to sometimes build a pictorial sketch of what was so that people can appreciate it. Now the road is done, nobody would know how it was. So , I have told him that next time he should show the pictures so that people will understand what you have been able to do and I believe by the grace of God that people here will appreciate you.
“I sincerely thank you and I want to plead with you, one of the things you have always done is to encourage people who have some well, who have excelled in their own way and when you do that, it encourages others that tomorrow, the government will also recognize me that having done well, they can say okay, name this after me, that we remember his contributions. It is good when somebody is alive and who has made this country happy, recognize him than waiting for when he dies. A dead man does not know what happens. So, I will appeal to you, there is one of our own who has done a lot, the only Nobel Laureate we have that has made Nigeria proud in the world, I recommend that this road should be named Wole Soyinka Way. In that case, other people will have hope. People like will have hope that tomorrow they will also recognize me”, Wike added.