Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, on Thursday, took a swipe at Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara over his withdrawal from the governorship race while praising the emergence of Kingsley Chinda as a strong contender, declaring that “a good product markets itself”.
Wike spoke during an inspection tour of ongoing infrastructure projects across Abuja, where he expressed satisfaction with the level of completion of several major projects ahead of their planned inauguration, before addressing political developments in Rivers State.
Responding to questions on the outcome of recent political activities in Rivers, including Chinda’s emergence as governorship candidate and Fubara’s withdrawal from the race, the former Rivers governor said he was not surprised by either development.
“Well, I wouldn’t want to say I was surprised. A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material. He’s quite experienced. He has worked with the executive, and now in the legislature, you can hear his voice when he was the minority leader of the PDP. I’m sure that he must have been approached by the ruling All Progressive Congress to join them and then get the ticket,” Wike said.
On Fubara’s decision to withdraw, Wike criticised the governor for initially picking up the nomination form despite what he described as an existing political understanding, saying his action fell short of expected conduct.
“I’m not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form because the agreement was reached that the impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not talk about a second tenure. And so, for me, I’m not surprised that he has to withdraw at that stage. But by collecting the form first, he didn’t show gentlemanly behaviour. He didn’t show that sign, and that was not expected,” he said.
Wike added that President Bola Tinubu had repeatedly intervened in the Rivers political crisis, particularly by appealing to lawmakers to halt impeachment moves against Fubara.
“We thought that Mr President had been intervening severally and pleading with the legislature not to continue with impeachment, but what it is, he has withdrawn, and somebody has emerged as a government candidate for the APC,” he said.
Before speaking on politics, the minister toured several strategic infrastructure projects across the Federal Capital Territory, including the Renewed Hope City in Karsana, the Old Keffi Road in Dei Dei, the Airport Road to Kuje corridor, the Kuje to Gwagwalada road, and the ongoing work at the Abuja City Gate.
Expressing delight over the pace and quality of the work, Wike said most of the projects were nearing completion and ready for inauguration.
“I think today is one of the happiest days. The projects we inspected, obviously, are ready for inauguration. We went to the Renewed Hope City, Karsana. Just consider that almost 98% is done. Very good job by Lubriks,” he said.
He also praised the contractors handling the Airport Road to Kuje project and the Kuje to Gwagwalada road, noting that the infrastructure has significantly changed the landscape of the area and reflects the administration’s commitment to governance through visible development.
Speaking on the transformation at the City Gate, Wike described the project as a major facelift for Abuja and commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, whose initiative he credited as the driving idea behind the project.
“You will attest to the fact that it has been given a new look. When you have a good woman who means well for the administration of her husband. I’m talking about the first lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
“This is her brain child. I’m sure she will be happy with what she has seen, and I’m happy with the contractor. They promised that by the end of May, or the first week of June, they would have handed over this project, and they have kept to their word.
“I’m pleased with the quality of the job, and I’m sure anybody who passes here in the night will see a different city when they are coming in. They know they are coming to a city, the capital of Nigeria. So very proud, very proud of what we have seen.”
Leave a Reply