Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Thursday took a swipe at former Senate President David Mark, arguing that the road infrastructure achievements recorded under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in less than three years had surpassed what was achieved during Mark’s years in top government positions.
Wike made the remarks during the commissioning of the Interchange at Arterial Road N16–Ring Road II Junction linking the Jahi and Gwarimpa districts of Abuja. President Tinubu was represented at the event by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.
The minister’s comments came amid recent criticism of the administration by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he said had nonetheless acknowledged the government’s performance in road infrastructure development.
“ADC has conceded that in terms of road infrastructure, Mr. President has done very, very well,” Wike said.
“Without roads, you cannot go to hospital, you cannot go to school, and you cannot go to farm. Roads are the bedrock of development in any society.”
Wike specifically targeted David Mark, whom he described as a leading figure in a faction of the ADC, questioning his record on infrastructure delivery during his eight years as Senate President.
According to the FCT minister, the Akwanga–Makurdi road remained in poor condition despite being awarded during the period when Mark held one of the country’s highest political offices under a ruling party administration.
“The poor people could not afford to travel to Makurdi because there was no road. But David Mark, as Senate President then was flying helicopters,” Wike said.
“Today, because of the intervention of this administration, people can drive freely to Makurdi and Otukpo. The same David Mark, who once relied on helicopters can now travel by road too.”
The minister said the administration had demonstrated the importance of continuity in governance, noting that the newly commissioned Jahi-Gwarimpa interchange project was initiated before the current government assumed office but had made little progress until President Tinubu’s administration intervened.
“One of the problems of development in Nigeria is that new administrations often abandon projects initiated by their predecessors,” Wike said.
“But President Tinubu has shown that government is a continuum. What matters is completing projects for the benefit of the people, regardless of who awarded them.”
He disclosed that many residents had doubted the project would ever be completed, describing its delivery as a major milestone in the ongoing transformation of the nation’s capital.
Wike also dismissed suggestions that the administration’s development efforts were concentrated solely on roads, pointing to ongoing investments in water infrastructure across satellite communities in the FCT.
He recalled the recent commissioning of a water project in Karu and announced that another major water supply scheme in Bwari would be inaugurated on July 14.
“It is not correct to say we are only doing roads,” he said.
“In Karu, we commissioned water supply infrastructure, and by July 14 we will commission another major water project in Bwari. These are projects designed to improve the lives of ordinary people.”
The minister challenged critics to identify similar levels of investment in satellite towns under previous administrations, insisting that the Tinubu administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda was delivering tangible development across the Federal Capital Territory.
According to Wike, the administration’s focus on roads, water supply and other critical infrastructure demonstrates its commitment to improving living conditions for residents while driving economic growth and connectivity across Abuja and its surrounding communities.
