Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has urged professional bodies in Nigeria to focus more on driving development and institutional reforms rather than engaging in what he described as constant criticism of government policies.
Wike spoke on Tuesday in Abuja while hosting delegates of the Body of Benchers, led by its Chairman, Albert Akpomudje, during a courtesy visit to his official residence in Life Camp.
The FCT minister said leadership should be judged by tangible achievements, reforms and projects executed during a tenure, not by frequent appearances in the media attacking government.
“What is leadership all about? At the end of your tenure, what will you say is your legacy?” Wike asked.
“You cannot occupy a position and all you do is criticise government every day. People will ask you: while you had the opportunity, what did you do for your profession?” he added.
Wike commended successive leaders of the Body of Benchers for maintaining constructive engagement with government, noting that such collaboration had helped attract critical infrastructure projects to institutions linked to the legal profession.
According to him, the annex building of the Body of Benchers is nearing completion and will be delivered by June, while the access road linking the Nigerian Law School and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Academy corridor is already 98 per cent completed.
The minister also approved a fresh request for the construction of an additional access road to the Body of Benchers annex, directing officials of the FCT Administration to immediately assess the project for possible inclusion in ongoing works.
He criticised what he termed “destructive criticism” by some professional groups, insisting that constructive engagement with government yields better outcomes for institutions and their members.
“Constructive criticism is good, but not the kind where nobody sees anything good in what government is doing,” he stated.
Wike further defended the provision of official residences and welfare packages for judicial officers, arguing that such support strengthens institutions rather than undermines judicial independence.
“If government provides accommodation for judges, people say they are compromised. But when individuals give money to judges, nobody talks about compromise,” he said.
The minister maintained that leaders of professional associations should concentrate on identifying challenges within their sectors and working with government to address them.
“If you are president of an association and all you do is attend television programmes to criticise government, that is not enough. What did you attract for your members? What did you improve?” he queried.
Earlier, Chairman of the Body of Benchers, Albert Akpomudje, praised the FCT Administration for what he described as visible infrastructural transformation across Abuja, especially projects benefiting the legal profession.
He expressed appreciation for the completion of the Body of Benchers annex building, ongoing construction of a fire service station and road projects around the institution.
“Roads are being constructed and upgraded daily both in the city centre and rural areas. Indeed, this is what governance should be,” Akpomudje said.
He added that sustained collaboration among the executive, legislature and judiciary remains crucial to strengthening democratic institutions and improving access to justice in the country.
