I’ll resign as minister if my claims on roads are false — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, on Friday challenged anyone disputing his administration’s record on road construction in Abuja’s satellite towns to publicly prove him wrong within 48 hours.

He declared that he would resign if his claims were found to be false.

Wike issued the challenge while speaking at the inauguration of the reconstructed Arab/Gbazango Road in Kubwa, where he reeled out what he described as the achievements of the Federal Capital Territory Administration under President Bola Tinubu.

According to him, since Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023, the FCT Administration has awarded contracts for 317 kilometres of roads in satellite towns, completed 221 kilometres and is currently executing the remaining 96 kilometres.

“As I speak to you, since the assumption of office by Mr President, roads covering 317 kilometres have been awarded in the satellite towns. Out of that 317 kilometres, we have completed 221 kilometres, while 96 kilometres are ongoing,” Wike said.

He stressed that the figures referred only to projects executed in satellite towns and did not include road projects undertaken across the entire Federal Capital Territory.

“This is only for the satellite towns, not the FCT as a whole. For the satellite towns, 317 kilometres awarded, 221 kilometres completed and 96 kilometres ongoing,” he added.

The minister also assured residents that two major road projects would be delivered before the end of the year.

“Let me assure you, Mr President, the road from Apo to Karshi will be completed before the end of this year. The road from Bwari to Kubwa will be completed before the end of this year,” he said.

Wike argued that the ongoing projects had transformed communities outside the city centre and demonstrated that the Tinubu administration was extending development to previously neglected areas.

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“How will satellite town people say they have not benefited from government? They have felt the impact of governance. It has never happened in the history of the administration of this country,” he stated.

The former Rivers State governor then threw a challenge to his critics, insisting that his claims were verifiable.

“If there’s anybody who has a contrary view, let him come out and challenge us that all this you are saying is not correct. I will resign as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” he declared.

Repeating the challenge for emphasis, Wike said, “Maybe you didn’t hear me well. Let me say it again so you hear it well.

“If there’s anybody, I don’t know of any association you may belong to. I don’t know of any group you may belong to. But if you know you have a contrary view to what I have said, I challenge you in the next 48 hours to come on national television and say that since this administration came, we have not awarded roads of 317 kilometres in the satellite towns and we have not completed 221 kilometres.

“I will resign as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.”

The minister attributed the pace of infrastructure development in the FCT to the backing of President Tinubu and the cooperation of the National Assembly.

“One is happy, first of all, to commend you for the support you have given to us, and to commend the National Assembly for the support and relationship we have enjoyed with them,” Wike said.

He added that the administration remained committed to sustaining infrastructure development across the territory, declaring, “On your mandate, we shall stand.”