A former President of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide, Engr. Udengs Eradiri, has dismissed criticism of his positive assessment of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, insisting that the minister’s performance speaks for itself and has exposed the shortcomings of many state governors.
Eradiri was responding to comments by veteran journalist and television presenter Reuben Abati, who had questioned his favourable rating of Wike.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the new IYC executive council, Eradiri argued that his position was based on measurable development and not personal sentiment.
He said: “I think Reuben Abati was more emotional, probably because of his relationship with Wike. The truth is that I am a man who stands for development. I stand for action. I like people who do their job”.
He praised Wike’s ongoing inauguration and commissioning of projects in the Federal Capital Territory, describing it as evidence that effective leadership could deliver tangible results within a short period.
He said: “Wike has made the Niger Delta people proud because the position he has been given, he has used it to show the world that leaders can truly get the job done. What Wike is doing in one day is what some governors do in eight years”.
According to the former IYC leader, the scale of projects being delivered in the FCT should compel governors across the country to account for how they utilised public funds.
“I said that with what Wike is doing, 30 days of inauguration and commissioning projects, governors need to explain to the people what they are doing with the resources in their states,” he added.
Eradiri also dismissed suggestions that Wike’s achievements were made easier by the Federal Government’s Treasury Single Account (TSA), stressing that state governors received their allocations directly.
“I saw somebody talk about the Treasury Single Account. Governors are not under TSA. Their money comes straight to them. Any governor who is serious will turn the tide in his state,” he said.
While hailing governors of Lagos, Enugu and Abia states for what he described as commendable performances, Eradiri criticised some governors accusing them of failing to translate available resources into meaningful development.
“There are some, who are a disgrace to leadership. The President is doing his best by generating money for them, but they are not injecting that money into their states for meaningful projects,” he said.
Responding to insinuations that his support for Wike was politically motivated, Eradiri maintained that he was an accomplished professional, who could not be influenced by any politician.
“I think Reuben Abati doesn’t know me. I am a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers. I am a practising engineer. I run my own company. I pay staff. I contribute to Nigeria’s GDP. I pay taxes. I am too expensive an individual to be a praise singer to any politician,” he declared.
Eradiri acknowledged that Wike had supported the Ijaw Youth Council during his tenure as its president but insisted that such support had never prevented him from speaking out whenever necessary.
The former IYC president further argued that Wike’s performance had become one of the strongest selling points of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has many things to offer in the next election, because Wike is making his government visible. That is the truth and we must commend him,” Eradiri said.
He also noted that Wike’s achievements were more remarkable because he serves in an APC-led administration despite being a member of the opposition.
Eradiri reaffirming his admiration for the FCT minister, saying, “This is not the time to throw stones at someone who is working. I am not unemployed. But Wike is my man because he is a performer and achiever and I like him.”