A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Yakubu Sani, has criticized Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, for allegedly neglecting his responsibilities in Abuja. Sani, who is the founder of the Arewa Mandate Alliance, accused Wike of prioritizing political disagreements over addressing pressing issues affecting residents of the nation's capital. He urged Wike to focus on his responsibilities and allow the projects being executed under his watch to speak for his performance.
The criticism comes amid a wider political dispute between Wike and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, over Wike's proposed "Rainbow Coalition" ahead of the 2027 general elections. Wike has explained that the coalition aims to mobilize support for President Bola Tinubu across political parties. However, the APC Governors' Forum, chaired by Uzodimma, has opposed the coalition, saying it could weaken the APC or affect its candidates in the 2027 elections.
Sani faulted Wike for allegedly using occasions meant for commissioning infrastructure projects to engage political opponents. He cited Uzodimma as an example of a governor who is working quietly and concentrating on governance, delivering projects, and organizing support for the President. Sani advised Wike to learn from Uzodimma and prioritize the needs of Abuja residents over political confrontations.
According to Sani, Wike was appointed by President Tinubu to administer the FCT and should prioritize the welfare of residents. He argued that the development of Abuja should not be measured only by the number of infrastructure projects completed but also by the state of essential public services. Sani raised concerns about areas such as water supply, waste disposal, and indiscriminate parking, which he said continue to affect residents and motorists in parts of Abuja.
Sani identified the welfare of workers, including teachers, healthcare workers, and civil servants, as an area that requires greater attention in the FCT. He argued that physical infrastructure alone would not address all the challenges facing residents of the capital. Sani emphasized that schools, hospitals, public institutions, and the workers responsible for running them also require attention.
The disagreement between Wike and Uzodimma has generated reactions from APC leaders in different parts of the country. The APC leadership in the South-East recently rejected the Rainbow Coalition, while the party chapter in Rivers State took a different position, saying it would remain involved in the political arrangement associated with Wike.
Sani urged Wike to reduce his involvement in political confrontations and focus on the administration of the FCT. He argued that Wike could demonstrate his political relevance through the quality of governance and services delivered in Abuja rather than through public exchanges with governors and other politicians.
Key points
- Yakubu Sani criticizes Nyesom Wike for prioritizing political disagreements over addressing pressing issues in Abuja.
