By Olawumi Oyehan
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Tuesday, urged professional bodies to stop criticism of their own in public rather they should make the criticism to be constructive.
Wike spoke in Abuja while hosting delegates of the Body of Benchers led by its Chairman, Albert Akpomudje, during a courtesy visit at his official residence in Life Camp.
The minister said leaders of professional associations should ensure they attract more tangible development to their institutions and members.
”They should be remembered for projects and reforms they attracted while in office, rather than for frequent appearances on television criticising government,” he said.
The FCT Minister added that, he is not against criticism, “Our people should stop criticisms. I’m not saying that criticism is bad. But what we expect is constructive criticism. Something that would make me say, Okay, I think I made a mistake here. I would like to correct it. Not anything that nobody does anything good. And that is not progress for us.
“What is leadership all about? At the end of your tenure, what will you say is your legacy?.
“You cannot occupy a position and all you do is criticise the government every day. People will ask you: while you had the opportunity, what did you do for your profession?
”And I’ve always said that you cannot bring down your own house. You cannot come to the public and denigrate your own judges and justices. They are not carrying the houses back home. Government is merely providing enabling environments. That alone will even give them the independence we are talking about. I don’t know if a negative criticism can give money to a judge.
”That would not be compromised. But if a negative is building, that is what is called compromise. But again, you ask yourself. NBA is supposed to be an organization that would be able to speak out about the interests of society,” he said.
He said successive leaders of the Body of Benchers had demonstrated exemplary leadership by consistently seeking government intervention to improve infrastructure and facilities for the legal profession.
“You are not the first chairman of the Body of Benchers, but you came with requests that will improve the institution and open up the area for everybody. That is leadership,” he said.
Wike noted that under the current administration, the annex building of the Body of Benchers was nearing completion and would be delivered by June, while the access road around the Nigerian Law School and EFCC Academy corridor was already 98 per cent completed.
He also approved a new request for an access road to the Body of Benchers annex building, directing relevant officials of the FCT Administration to immediately assess and incorporate the project into ongoing works.
The minister used the occasion to criticise what he described as “destructive criticism” by some professional groups, insisting that constructive engagement with government yields better results.
“Constructive criticism is good, but not the kind where nobody sees anything good in what the government is doing,” he stated.
He particularly faulted criticisms surrounding government-built houses for judges, arguing that providing infrastructure and welfare support for judicial officers strengthens institutions rather than compromises them.
“If the government provides accommodation for judges, people say they are compromised. But when individuals give money to judges, nobody talks about compromise,” Wike said.
According to him, professional associations should devote more energy to identifying gaps in their sectors and partnering with the government to address them.
“If you are president of an association and all you do is attend television programmes to criticise the government, that is not enough. What did you attract for your members? What did you improve?” he queried.
Earlier, His Royal Highness Akpomudje commended the FCT Administration for what he described as a remarkable infrastructural transformation across Abuja, especially projects benefiting the legal profession.
He said the Body of Benchers was grateful for the completion of its annex building, the ongoing fire service station project and the construction of access roads within the complex.
“Roads are being constructed and upgraded daily both in the city centre and rural areas. Indeed, this is what governance should be,” he said.
Akpomudje added that collaboration among the executive, legislature and judiciary remained essential for strengthening democratic institutions and improving access to justice in Nigeria.