Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory minister Nyesom Wike urged opposition politicians to prioritize governance after criticizing the African Democratic Congress over its response to a court ruling affecting the party’s leadership, BusinessDay reported Nov. 9.
At a Monday town hall in Kwali Area Council, Abuja, Wike questioned why political leaders devoted energy to party arrangements while residents face economic and social challenges, BusinessDay reported. He argued that political parties should help their members deliver practical improvements for constituents. “When you get there, you talk about development,” Wike said, describing what he believed should follow political organizing. He also called on political stakeholders across the Federal Capital Territory to work together on issues affecting residents. The report said he praised local government chairmen and leaders from different parties for cooperating.
Wike’s call for cooperation came as the ADC’s leadership remained under dispute after a Federal High Court judgment affecting the group led by David Mark. The ADC said the Nov. 5 ruling overturned Mark’s leadership and later party decisions, including the primary that selected Atiku Abubakar as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate. EconoTimes previously reported on the dispute over the court ruling.
Wike also defended President Bola Tinubu’s government in the capital territory. He pointed to the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the selection of an indigene to lead the civil service and the territory’s exit from the Treasury Single Account arrangement. He said the changes gave the FCT greater administrative autonomy. Wike said the administration intended to complete abandoned road projects, add infrastructure and improve residents’ political representation.
He urged residents to support leaders with visible infrastructure achievements. Wike criticized politicians who, in his view, visited local communities mainly when elections approached and relied on campaign promises, BusinessDay reported. He said development outcomes offered a better measure of an administration than criticism from opposition politicians.
