Elections won’t slow us down; we’re campaigning with performance — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has said the commencement of political campaigns ahead of the 2027 general elections will not distract his administration from delivering ongoing infrastructure projects across the territory.

Wike spoke after inspecting the construction of Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, linking Jahi with Gwarimpa and Karsana, which is being handled by CBC Global. He also inspected the 7.3-kilometre Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road, which connects to the Abuja-Kaduna Highway and is being constructed by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).

The minister, who said the administration’s greatest campaign strategy remains its performance, stressed that governance and politics would not conflict under his watch. He added that the visible transformation across the FCT had become the strongest campaign message for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Wike said: “We are already campaigning with our performance. The major campaign is to provide the dividends of democracy. What are you going to tell the people when you have nothing to show? Our campaign is showing what we have done.

“All we have to do is go back to the people and tell them we made promises and kept them. People want to see your report card, not empty rhetoric. As far as the FCT is concerned, we have shown our report card, and we have no problem winning any election whenever INEC fixes it.”

Expressing satisfaction with the pace of work on the Arterial Road N16 project, the minister said the contractor had assured the FCT Administration that the project would be completed by January.

“The road is very critical. If they deliver it by January as promised, I will be highly impressed. On our part, we will ensure adequate funding because once this road is completed, the entire Gwarimpa axis will be opened up,” he said.

On the Tunga Madaki-Zuba Road, Wike praised CCECC for maintaining its reputation for timely delivery, noting that the company had assured the government that the project would be completed by December.

“I’m very impressed with what they are doing. The promises we made during the flag-off and commissioning of these projects are likely to be fulfilled. Despite the rains slowing earthworks, they have concentrated on drainage construction, which is progressing well,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that he had approved the relocation of electricity poles along the route to pave the way for the installation of streetlights.

He commended Chinese construction firms handling major FCT projects, noting that they commence work without waiting for mobilisation payments because of their confidence in the government’s commitment to honour contractual obligations.

Wike also urged the company to maintain the quality and pace of work on the road project.

“What gives us happiness with these companies, particularly the Chinese companies, is that they don’t wait for mobilisation before starting work. They know the government will pay, and funding has not been a problem. As soon as I return to the office, I will ensure that funds are made available so we can achieve what we have promised,” Wike said.

The inspection formed part of the FCT Administration’s routine monitoring of infrastructure projects to ensure the timely completion of roads and other critical public facilities under the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.