Wike Slams David Mark Over FCT Roads, Defends Tinubu's Record

Wike Slams David Mark Over FCT Roads, Defends

Tinubu's Record

The single sharpest fact in one or two punchy sentences. Who did what, where, when, and why it matters. Not a summary of everything — the one thing that makes someone stop scrolling. A reader who only reads this paragraph must understand what happened.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, has taken a swipe at former Senate President David Mark, criticizing his record on infrastructure delivery during his eight years in office. Wike made the remarks on Thursday at the commissioning of the Interchange at Arterial Road N16–Ring Road II Junction linking the Jahi and Gwarimpa districts in Abuja, where President Tinubu was represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

African Democratic Congress has conceded that in terms of road infrastructure, President Tinubu has done very well. 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 questioned the former Senate President's record on infrastructure delivery, citing the Akwanga-Makurdi road as a project awarded under Mark's watch that remained in deplorable condition throughout his tenure.

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. 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.

Wike argued that the Tinubu administration had demonstrated what could be achieved through political will and commitment to continuity in governance, noting that the Jahi-Gwarinpa interchange project commissioned on Thursday was awarded before the current administration took office but had received no mobilisation or meaningful progress until the present government intervened. One of the problems of development in Nigeria is that new administrations often abandon projects initiated by their predecessors. 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 residents of the area had long doubted the project would ever be completed, describing its delivery as a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory. He also rejected claims that the administration's development efforts were limited to road construction, pointing to investments in water infrastructure across FCT satellite towns. He recalled the recent commissioning of water supply projects in Karu and announced that a similar project in Bwari would be inaugurated on July 14.

### Wike and Tinubu's Relationship

Nyesom Wike has been a close ally of President Tinubu since his presidential campaign. Wike, who served as the Governor of Rivers State from 2015 to 2023, played a crucial role in Tinubu's election campaign, working tirelessly to mobilize support for the president. Their close relationship has led to speculation about Wike's potential role in the Tinubu administration.

### The Importance of Road Infrastructure

Road infrastructure is vital to the development of any society. Without good roads, people cannot easily access basic services such as hospitals, schools, and markets. The lack of road infrastructure has a direct impact on economic growth, as it hinders the movement of goods and services. In Nigeria, where the economy is heavily dependent on agriculture and trade, the development of road infrastructure is crucial to the country's economic growth.

### The Akwanga-Makurdi Road Project

The Akwanga-Makurdi road project was awarded under David Mark's watch as Senate President. However, the project remained in deplorable condition throughout his tenure. The project was meant to connect the Akwanga and Makurdi roads, reducing travel time and improving the movement of goods and services.

### What it Means for Nigerians

Wike's remarks have sparked a debate about the performance of the Tinubu administration, particularly in the area of road construction. While some have praised Wike for his commitment to infrastructure development, others have criticized him for his partisan rhetoric. The controversy surrounding the Akwanga-Makurdi road project highlights the challenges facing Nigeria's road infrastructure development.

### The Future of Road Infrastructure in Nigeria

The development of road infrastructure is crucial to Nigeria's economic growth. With the recent commissioning of the Jahi-Gwarinpa interchange project, Nigerians are expecting more infrastructural development projects to be completed. However, the controversy surrounding the Akwanga-Makurdi road project highlights the challenges facing Nigeria's road infrastructure development.

### Final Thoughts

The controversy surrounding the Akwanga-Makurdi road project highlights the challenges facing Nigeria's road infrastructure development. While some have praised Wike for his commitment to infrastructure development, others have criticized him for his partisan rhetoric. The debate surrounding the performance of the Tinubu administration highlights the need for transparency and accountability in governance. Nigerians are expecting more infrastructural development projects to be completed, and the Tinubu administration must deliver on this promise to justify its claims of achievements.

### A Statement from the Nigerian Government

### Image Query

A photo of the Jahi-Gwarinpa interchange project, with President Tinubu's representation by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, and Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.