* Minister denies land grabbing allegations

‎By Teddy Nwanunobi and Olawumi Oyehan

‎The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr Nyesom Wike, has received commendations from Nigerians for the wonderful works he is doing since he assumed office in 2023.

‎Stakeholders who spoke to our correspondents said less than three years  after Wike’s appointment  as the FCT Minister, he has changed the face of the territory  including the city centre and suburbs.

They quickly pointed at the ongoing commissioning of  several legacy projects scattered at the six area councils of the FCT which stakeholders said has given rural dwellers a sense of belonging.

” We are happy with what is going on. Take a look at Karu before and now. Take a look at Bwari before and now. Take a look at Dakibu,Jabi, Utako, Apo, Karshi, Abaji, Gwagwalada etc, you will see the monumental transformation” Chief Joshua Adibe, an Abuja civil servant said yesterday

On his part, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been full of praises to Wike.

‎“Let me commend the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike. When I gave you the task of making Abuja a world-class capital, I knew you would deliver. You have not disappointed me. From roads to projects like this, you have shown that performance is what counts in public service,” Tinubu said on Wednesday, during the inauguration of the 10 completed judges’ quarters for the Federal High Court judges in Katampe District of Abuja.

Shortly after his inauguration by Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on August 21, 2023, the minister immediately  hit the ground running, showing his dogged determination to change the face of Nigeria’s capital.

‎He has received a pat on his shoulders for the ongoing work he is doing to make Abuja a world class capital, through the construction of roads and execution of other strategic projects from many quarters.

‎Obviously impressed by the results of ongoing projects in the FCT, Tinubu could not hide his admiration of Wike’s delivery.

‎“Abuja is changing. Nigeria is changing. Our reforms are taking root. We will not stop until every sector reflects the greatness of this nation,” Tinubu said.

‎Similarly, the Nigerian Senate and top national leaders have repeatedly lauded Wike for his transformative infrastructure projects, dynamic leadership style, and precise project execution across Abuja.

‎The Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Dr Mariya Mahmoud, has also publicly praised Wike for his “purposeful leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming Abuja.”

‎She praised his determination to deliver world-class infrastructure projects that redefine the capital’s landscape.

‎During the commissioning of major projects, including the new Court of Appeal building in Abuja, Mahmoud paid glowing tribute to Wike’s massive infrastructure push.

‎”I commend the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, for his exceptional leadership, resilience, and unwavering commitment to delivering world-class infrastructure projects that are redefining the landscape of Abuja and improving the quality of life of residents.

‎”His purposeful leadership and unwavering commitment to transforming Abuja through the delivery of critical infrastructure that is opening up communities and creating new opportunities for residents is very clear.

‎”The Minister of the FCT, Barrister Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, is determined and committed to deliver world-class infrastructure across the nation’s capital. His relentless commitment to delivering transformative infrastructure across the nation’s capital is not in doubt,” Mahmoud said.

‎In December 2015, the indigenes of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), under the auspices of the Karu Gbagyi Development Association (KAGBADA), presented the ‘Nigeria Infrastructure Minister of the Year’ Award to Wike.

‎Chairman of KAGBADA, Mr Sumner Shagari Sambo, during the presentation of the award at the Jummai Aduda Youth Centre in Karu, said the honour was in recognition of the minister’s transformative projects in Abuja satellite towns.

‎Sambo praised Wike for initiating unprecedented infrastructure development in outer-city districts.

“FCT indigenes had never witnessed huge infrastructure developments all at once in outer city districts and satellite towns like those currently being undertaken under the administration of the current minister and President Bola Tinubu.

‎“We decided to honour FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, for the great infrastructure projects extended to our community, such as the completed rehabilitation of the Nyanya-Karu-Jikwoyi-Karshi Highway, which is currently easing traffic in the Karu Chiefdom, the completed Kugbo Bus Terminal, Kugbo International Market, and other notable projects,” he said.

‎Wike’s constituency did not keep a blind eye to what he is doing as the FCT Minister. Consequently, members of the Rivers State National Assembly Caucus have continually expressed their support for him. They have hailed his “dynamic and inspirational” leadership style, stating that his pragmatic policies and infrastructural drive serve as an excellent model for public service.

‎Earlier this month, Daily NewsCraft sampled the opinions of some residents of the FCT on Wike’s performance as the FCT Minister.

‎Barr Thomas Idakwoju said that Wike’s achievements as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have strengthened the perception that he is a reformer.

‎”Wike’s one of the best things about President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Critics may debate policies, but even many political observers will agree that the energy, discipline, and speed of implementation under Wike have brought a new level of seriousness to the administration of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

‎”Today, Abuja’s witnessing visible transformation: roads are being completed, long-standing administrative bottlenecks are being removed, and governance has taken a more purposeful direction. These achievements have strengthened the perception that the man’s not just another FCT Minister, but a reformer who’s determined to leave a lasting legacy,” Idakwoju submitted.

‎Kingsley Edobor, a civil servant who lives in Jikwoyi, said that Wike is FCT’s second best.

‎”It’s very unfortunate that people don’t like the way he talks and behaves as a public servant. But the truth remains that after Mallam Nasir el’Rufai, Wike follows. El’Rufai is the best. Wike is considered second to the best, as far as the FCT is concerned,” Edobor said.

‎A seamstress at Karu, Mrs Rita Ugwu, wished him well in his assignment.

‎”He is doing very well. Look at our roads now. And he is even working to give us water.

‎”This is a case of when leadership is decisive and result-oriented, progress becomes visible to all. Abuja is indeed witnessing a new era of governance. I wish him more strength to continue the good work,” she said.

‎Engr Ephraim Asowata said that the FCT residents should be proud to have him as the FCT Minister.

‎”Honestly, he has done very well for the residents of the Federal Capital Territory. We will continue to support him and the President.

‎”We are really proud of what he is doing in the FCT. May God keep him so that we can witness more of his achievements,” he said.

‎A roadside trader at Jikwoyi Junction, Mrs Regina Sankwai, said that residents should accept to make some sacrifices to assist the Minister.

‎”It was very difficult for us who don’t have the money for shops. But I understand that he wants to give us water and make our roads better… that is why they are chasing us away from where we are selling. I think we should be ready to make sacrifices so that we can have good roads and water in our houses,” she said.

‎Jude Aduku added that, “Wike is the most impactful minister the FCT has ever had. This is a fact. So far, this man is the most influential Minister of FCT.”

‎A civil servant, Gbenga Obasi, who lives in Kuje Area Council, was full of praise for Wike, for giving Kuje a face-lift. He recalled the unending holdups at Kuje Town, especially due to the narrow road and deadly potholes that have claimed so many lives in the past.

‎He particularly recalled an incident where a motorcycle rider and passenger fell, because they suddenly entered into one of the deadly potholes close to the Kuje Police Station, and the truck at their back ran over the rider, and he died on the spot.

‎”But now, Kuje is a beautiful town on its own. Have you seen the traffic lights in the night? They’re very beautiful. The FCT Minister has tried for us,” he said.

‎Isaac Aderibigbe, who stays at Pegi, Kuje, commended Wike for shortening the travelling time now from Kuje to Central Business District (CBD).

‎He said the kind of infrastructure development, going on in the satellite towns in the six area councils is unprecedented.

‎”A trip that normally takes about 1 hour 30 minutes now takes around 35 minutes, with the good road. But we will like to appeal to the Minister to help Pegi residents with their road, which has become worse during this rainy season. Wike is our man,” Isaac said.

‎Meanwhile, Wike has responded to those who accused him of land grabbing, following his administration’s controversial revocation of undeveloped land allocations in Abuja, insisting that the policy is yielding visible results and strengthening key public institutions.

‎Speaking on Wednesday, Wike said allegations that he was grabbing land for personal interests have been disproved by the projects now standing on reclaimed plots.

‎According to him, the land used for the judges’ quarters had been allocated to a major construction company over 15 years ago but remained undeveloped until the FCT Administration revoked the allocation and put it into public use.

‎“Those who accused me of land grabbing can now see that I did not grab any land. We simply took back land that was abandoned for over 15 years and transformed it into infrastructure that serves the judiciary and the Nigerian people,” Wike said.