Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other opposition figures over their reactions to political developments and judicial decisions, urging them to prioritise governance over internal party disputes.
Wike, who spoke on Monday at a town hall meeting with political stakeholders, traditional rulers and residents of Kwali Area Council in Abuja, said political parties should serve as platforms for development rather than become centres of prolonged conflicts driven by personal ambitions.
His remarks come amid controversy surrounding the leadership of the ADC following a court judgment affecting the party’s national executive committee led by David Mark, former Senate president.
The minister questioned why political leaders would devote their energies to fighting over party structures instead of using their political platforms to address the economic and social challenges facing their constituents.
‘Isn’t it that a party is a vehicle that you enter intentionally to go where you are going? When you get there, you talk about development, you talk about good governance, and how you can bring welfare to your people,’ Wike said.
He also faulted opposition figures for what he described as persistent media-driven criticism of government policies and political developments, arguing that political disagreements had not translated into tangible improvements in the lives of citizens.
Wike urged political stakeholders in the FCT to look beyond party affiliations and cooperate on issues affecting residents, commending local government chairmen and political leaders across party lines for their willingness to work together.
The minister’s comments also provided an opportunity to defend the administration of President Bola Tinubu, particularly its policies and administrative changes in the FCT.
He cited the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of an indigene as Head of Service and the removal of the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) arrangement as measures he said had strengthened the territory’s administrative autonomy.
Wike argued that the administration should be judged by its development outcomes rather than criticism from opposition politicians.
He said the FCT administration remained committed to completing abandoned road projects, expanding infrastructure and improving political representation for residents of the territory.
‘There is no need to be fighting. For the interest of the people, for the interest of FCT-that is what we are talking about,’ he said.
The minister also urged residents and political stakeholders to support leaders with demonstrable records of infrastructure delivery rather than politicians who, according to him, only engage communities during election periods with promises.
The meeting was attended by Nuhu Daniel Kwali, chairman of Kwali Area Council; Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, Etsu of Kwali; councillors and representatives from the six area councils of the FCT.