Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, has thrown a direct challenge to opposition figures, declaring that no amount of “coalition politics” or propaganda can overshadow the visible results being delivered by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration in Abuja and beyond.
Speaking at the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace–Radio Nigeria–New Market Road in Gwagwalada Area Council on Friday, Wike said critics who are uncomfortable with the rapid transformation of the FCT should be brave enough to show Nigerians what they achieved when they held power.
“Mr. President, today is the 16th day you have devoted your time to personally participate in commissioning projects,” Wike said. “I never knew people were so pained that so many things are happening in the FCT until last night when I watched one of the presidential aspirants of the so-called coalition party — an industrialist — so pained that he’s angry the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker, the SGF are coming to commission projects. Yet they claim the people are angry!”
Turning to the cheering crowd, the Minister posed a pointed question: “Gwagwalada people, are you angry?” The resounding reply came back: “No!”
Wike mocked what he called “fake coalitions” designed only to distract Nigerians from genuine progress.
“I asked people and they said this coalition started 18 months ago. Mr. President has been in office for two years. So you started coalition when he was barely six months in office? When will you stop deceiving Nigerians?” he fired back.
He then took a swipe at former leaders, saying it was time for them to stop hiding behind empty talk and account for their time in office.
“Somebody came into office for just six months, you say Nigerians are angry. But you were Senate President for eight years, Speaker for four years, Minister of Transportation for eight years — yet you never made angry Nigerians happy! Now you want to come back to power? You won’t come back!”
Declaring this era “Operation Show Your Scorecard,” Wike said true leaders must show evidence of how they used their time in office to better the lives of the people.
“When you were Senate President, show your scorecard. How did you help the people of Benue State? Is it by flying a helicopter to Otukpo? We are here for 16 days showing our scorecard!” he said to loud applause.
Recalling his own political battles, Wike reminded the crowd of how he has consistently defeated so-called political heavyweights.
*“In 2015, I defeated a very powerful governor who wanted his boy to be governor. In 2019, a ‘super minister’ borrowing money everywhere and leaving us heavily indebted — I defeated him too. In 2023, they said they would support a man whose only business is jumping from party to party. Now, in 2025, they say there’s another coalition. Dem born you born coalition?!” he quipped, sending the crowd roaring with laughter.
Speaking on the significance of the Gwagwalada road, Wike said the project was not imposed from Abuja city centre but selected by the people themselves, which he described as true “community participation in governance.”
“One good thing about these rural projects is we never sat in the city to decide what to do. We came here and the people said, ‘This is what we want.’ That is how governance should work!” he said.
He also highlighted the FCT Administration’s commitment to promoting local capacity by awarding contracts to Nigerian companies.
“The Ushafa–War College Road in Bwari was done by local contractors. The bus terminals were done by local contractors. That is the policy of this administration: empower our own people!” he added.
In a final swipe at those calling for protests, Wike dared them to lead by example instead of encouraging unrest from the comfort of foreign cities.
“Some people say Nigerians should come out and revolt. The man saying it — I want you to lead it. Start it in Rivers State. Not that your children are in London while you send other people’s children to the streets. Bring your children, come back, and face us first!” he said.
He assured the Gwagwalada community that more people-oriented projects were coming, promising continued delivery in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Are you happy? Do you want more things? We will give you whatever you want,” Wike declared. “Mr. President, we are proud because you have changed the narrative. As for those who don’t want to be happy — may they remain unhappy forever. Me, I’m always happy!”
