FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Friday challenged critics of the Tinubu administration to disprove his claims on road infrastructure across Abuja’s satellite towns, declaring, he would resign if anyone proved that the figures were false.
The minister said that since President Bola Tinubu assumed office in 2023, the Federal Capital Territory Administration had awarded contracts for 317 kilometres of roads across satellite towns, of which 221 kilometres have been completed, while 96 kilometres were still under construction.
Wike gave the challenge at the commissioning of the reconstructed Arab/Gbazango Road in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, the final project inaugurated in the FCTA’s 31-day commissioning exercise to mark the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration.
He said the administration’s decision to extend infrastructure to satellite towns was proof that development was no longer confined to Abuja’s city centre, adding that residents were already feeling the impact of improved road networks.
“If there is anybody who has a contrary view, let him come out and challenge us that all this we are saying is not correct. I will resign as Minister of Federal Capital Territory.
“Come and say on national television that since this administration came, we have not awarded roads of 317 kilometres in the satellite town, and we have not completed 221. I will resign as Minister of Federal Capital Territory directly,” Wike said.
The minister also assured residents that ongoing road projects would be completed before the end of the year, specifically naming the Apo to Kashi Road and the Bwari-Kubwa Road.
He argued that the administration’s infrastructure drive had become its strongest response to political opponents.
“You see, to make the people happy, it’s very easy, so you can shut the mouth of your opponents. If there are opponents of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with what you have done in that lifetime, they cannot do anything again.
“If they are going to attack the people of Gbazango here, the people will tell them, when it was there, what did you do? This is what we call operation show your report card. If you call Tinubu today, he will show you his report card as regards the satellite town. If you call Tinubu today, he will show you his report card as regards the cities. So, Abuja is shut down. Abuja is closed. So, if you are looking for any other thing, you can go to anywhere, not in FCT.”
Wike described the just-concluded project inauguration exercise as unprecedented, noting that the FCTA had commissioned projects continuously from June 9 to July 17 without any incident.
He said the commissioning of roads and other infrastructure across the territory demonstrated that governance was about delivering tangible results that directly improved the lives of citizens.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event said the reconstructed Arab/Gbazango Road reflected the Tinubu administration’s commitment to ensuring that residents of satellite towns enjoyed the same quality of infrastructure as those living in the city centre.
According to him, the project would ease traffic congestion, improve access to the Outer Northern Expressway and boost economic activities in Kubwa and neighbouring communities.
“Our developmental vision for the Federal Capital Territory is complete inclusion. We refuse to restrict development to the high-brow, city center of Abuja.
“The suburbs, the outskirts, and the satellite towns deserve the exact same high-quality infrastructure.
“Therefore, we will not rest until the dividends of democracy are equitably distributed to every community, not only in the FCT, but in Nigeria,” the President said.
Tinubu also commended the FCT Administration for delivering projects that directly impacted residents and urged communities to protect public infrastructure from vandalism.
