Quintessential Wike Nyesom, by Kola Amzat

Since the turn of the 4th Republic in 1999, PDP has been the dominant force in FCT and its environs’ politics, claiming resounding victory in all the elections conducted till date-Senatorial, House of Representatives, and even, LGAs.

The incumbent Senator, Mrs. Ireti Kingibe is the 5th Senator representing the PDP at the upper chamber following the steps of Khairat Abdulrasaq-Gwadabe (1999-2003), Isa Maina (2003-2007), Adamu Sidi Ali (2007-2011) and Philips Tanimu Aduda (2011-2023), the longest serving FCT senator, with incredible three term tenures.

All these seem to have changed and in a significant fashion too, with the appointment of Barr Wike Nyesom as FCT, Minister by President Bola Tinubu.    

Just in a space of 30 months that the former Rivers governor assumed office, he has bestrode FCT, Abuja, political landscape like a colossus, the result of which has manifested in the sweeping of LGAs polls by the ruling party during Saturday, 21st Local Government elections within the territory.

In a dominant fashion, APC chairmanship and their councillor candidates triumphed in all the LGAs elections except Gwagwalada LG narrowly won by PDP, which the ruling party has even resolved to contest in the law court.   

On assumption of office barely 30 months ago, the Minister acknowledged that the only strategy to crave the attention and attract the goodwill of Nigerian elite in FCT and its environs is to deliver dividends of democracy.  And, this he has done in unmistakable and impressive manners.

 Among the minister key achievements over the past 30 months are:

·       Massive infrastructural development, including the construction of new urban and rural roads that has dramatically improved connectivity and accessibility for residents. The rural road development has significantly enhanced economic activities in FCT rural communities, creating opportunities and improving livelihoods.

·       The Minister has accorded priority to education by rehabilitating several schools, ensuring that the children learn in conducive environments and that the future generation is empowered with quality education

·       Wike also deployed efforts to enhance security which included the provision over 100 vehicles to the various security agencies and implementation of bolder and innovative strategies that have yielded positive results. FCT residents and its environs can now sleep peacefully at night, confident of the safety of their neighborhoods.

·       The creation of the Mandate Secretariat for Youth Development and other administrative changes implemented during the year have improved efficiency, accountability, and service delivery, strengthened governance, and made it more responsive to residents’ needs.

·       The minister has also moved to expand programs for youth employment and positive engagement to harness the energy and creativity of our young people for the development of the FCT.

·       By fostering an enabling environment for foreign and local investments, the FCT has witnessed visible economic growth. This has been particularly impactful in rural areas, where infrastructural improvements have sparked economic activities and development.”

·       The former Rivers state governor has also enhanced healthcare, education, and agricultural sectors, ensuring that every resident can access essential services.

·       Presently, the FCT administration is also tackling public transportation challenges through private sector participation, a development aimed at easing transportation issues and ensuring smooth mobility for residents.

Besides the Minister unprecedented accomplishments in all segments within FCT and its environs, a development that has ensured the NEAR-TOTAL victory of the ruling party in that all-important LGAs elections, a feat well acknowledged by the president, Wike Nyesom has been very magnanimous to the ruling party, giving maximum cooperation and supports to all APC candidates in his home state–Rivers, and now in FCT, Abuja, on account of internal wrangling within PDP, a development that has prevented INEC from recognizing and listing the party’s candidates for those elections.

Even though, court of competent jurisdiction has recently delivered judgment in favour of Wike faction, a development that has necessitated INEC recognition of the Wike factions, nonetheless, it’s instructive to acknowledge the minister’s total commitment and dedication to the cause of APC, facilitating victory for the party’s candidates in all off-cycle elections.

It’s also important to reckon with the unique political collaborative model brokered by President Tinubu with the Minister since the latter broke out from Atiku Abubakar after the ill-fated PDP presidential primary in 2023.

Even though the political collaboration has been mutually beneficial, the greatest beneficiary has been the COUNTRY itself.

The political deal has ensured that no part of the country is given latitude to ride roughshod over the other.

The Northern candidate had their eight years at Villa. The Southern candidate MUST equally have his own.

On this fairness and equity Minister Wike stands and he has braced all odds to achieve it.

Therefore, he deserves the commendations of Nigerians at home and in Diaspora.

Kola AMZAT (FCA, FCIB)

Lagos based Financial & Management Consultants,

09077509348.