The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at the leadership of his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), over what he described as their “ignorance of the law.”
Wike stated this on Wednesday during the commissioning of the newly constructed interchange bridges of Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) over the Outer Northern Expressway (Murtala Mohammed Expressway) in Abuja.
The event, attended by top government officials, marked the 10th consecutive day of project commissioning in the FCT, with President Bola Tinubu either personally attending or delegating high-ranking officials, including the Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In a deviation from the project’s focus, the minister criticised the PDP’s acting national chairman for directing the party’s national secretary to resume work, calling it an act of illegality.
“The National Secretary is not your appointee. He has been doing his work. You can’t call him to resume. It is because of your ignorance of the law. The law does not recognise ignorance. It is not an excuse,” he said.
He further lambasted the party for seeking guidance from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on obeying a Supreme Court judgment, describing it as “most unfortunate.”
“A political party would now go and ask INEC, ‘What do we do?’ INEC will not direct you, go and obey the Supreme Court judgment. When you shoot yourself, you will say somebody has shot you,” he said.
Wike, who has been at odds with the PDP leadership since defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), accused party leaders of lacking leadership skills.
“Money does not solve all the problems. If you don’t have the skills, you don’t have the skills. If you want to learn, come and meet us, we will teach you how to go about it,” he added.
Wike thanked President Tinubu for his leadership, crediting him for the rapid completion of infrastructure projects in the FCT.
“This is the 10th day you have commissioned various projects executed through your directive by the FCT Administration.
We will not take for granted the love you have shown to the people of FCT,” he said.
He revealed that the N20 interchange project, awarded in 2020, was prioritized due to Tinubu’s directive that projects with positive economic impact must be fast-tracked.
Wike dismissed claims that previous administrations had completed some of the projects being commissioned, challenging critics to provide evidence.
“If anyone says they completed these projects between 2010 and 2023, let them come forward. This is not 3D. It is not about showing computer designs, this is what we have done,” he said.
He emphasised that leadership was key to development, praising Tinubu’s commitment to the “Renewed Hope” agenda.
“When you provide the right leadership, you get results. There’s no magic, just commitment,” Wike stated.
The minister also acknowledged the National Assembly for supporting the FCT’s budget implementation, ensuring infrastructural growth in Abuja.
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