A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and founder of the Arewa Mandate Alliance (AMA), Yakubu Sani, has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to focus on delivering the mandate given to him by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Sani emphasized that Wike's primary responsibility as FCT Minister is to improve living conditions in the nation's capital. He advised Wike to emulate Imo state governor Hope Uzodimma, who has concentrated on improving the welfare of Imo residents and organizing the largest and most effective Governors Forum.
Sani expressed concerns that Wike's increasingly combative political rhetoric could overshadow the infrastructure projects executed under the Tinubu administration. He warned that Wike's public engagements, which often involve denigrating APC governors and fellow colleagues working for the same president, are not in line with mature and decent politics. Instead, Sani suggested that Wike should adopt a more respectable approach to governance and politics.
The APC chieftain reminded Wike that his primary responsibility as FCT Minister is to deliver on the mandate given to him by President Tinubu and improve living conditions in the nation's capital. Sani urged Wike to stop turning the commissioning of roads, bridges, and other infrastructure into platforms for denigrating APC governors and fellow colleagues working for the same president. He emphasized that every road and bridge commissioned in Abuja should be an opportunity to talk about development, not an occasion to abuse or denigrate perceived obstacles to Wike's political ambition.
Sani advised Wike to broaden his definition of development beyond roads and bridges to include constant provision of water and guiding taxi drivers to establish order on Abuja roads. He also raised concerns over inadequate water supply, indiscriminate parking, and refuse disposal in many parts of the capital city. According to Sani, many FCT residents do not have access to water, while motorists compete with refuse dumps for space on major roads in the city.
The politician maintained that infrastructure cannot substitute for functional public institutions and motivated personnel. He stressed that the quality of education, healthcare, and other public services is equally important to residents. Sani emphasized that Wike should devote greater attention to the administration of the FCT, improve workers' welfare, and reduce unnecessary political confrontations.
Sani urged Wike to allow the projects being delivered under his watch to speak for his performance rather than engage in political exchanges at commissioning ceremonies. He advised Wike to prioritize the welfare of teachers, healthcare workers, and civil servants in the FCT. According to Sani, President Tinubu gave Wike a job to do in Abuja, and he should concentrate on that job.
The APC chieftain added that Wike could strengthen his political standing by demonstrating that governance, rather than political combat, remains the central focus of his tenure as FCT Minister. Sani concluded that Wike should let the quality of his work speak for him instead of using every commissioning ceremony to attack APC governors who are committed to Tinubu's re-election.
Key points
- APC chieftain Yakubu Sani urges FCT Minister Nyesom Wike to focus on delivering President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's mandate.
