FCT Minister Wike has fired back at Amaechi over criticism of Tinubu’s administration.
He says the former minister is bitter about ongoing infrastructure progress in Abuja’s capital territory.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has responded to recent remarks made by former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, saying he is visibly disturbed by the pace of project commissioning being carried out by President Bola Tinubu and other top government officials in Abuja.
Wike made the statement on Friday during the official opening of the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace-Radio Nigeria-New Market Road in the Gwagwalada Area Council of the FCT.
This followed Amaechi’s comments on Thursday during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’, where he claimed that Nigerians were discontented with the performance of the Tinubu-led government.
Reacting to the comment, Wike dismissed Amaechi’s statement, suggesting that his criticism stems from bitterness over the visible development taking place in the nation’s capital.
“Mr. President, this is the 16th day you have taken time to personally attend project commissioning ceremonies, and I didn’t realize people were so upset about the progress being made in the FCT until I watched ‘Politics Today’ last night,” Wike said.
He continued, “I saw one of the coalition’s presidential aspirants so pained. He was clearly unhappy that the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation are coming here to commission projects. Yet he says Nigerians are angry.”
Wike then turned to the residents at the event and posed a direct question to gauge their opinion. “Gwagwalada people, are you angry?” he asked. “It’s important to ask this question so that we can hear directly from Nigerians.”
Wike’s comments suggest he views Amaechi’s remarks as politically motivated and not reflective of the realities on ground in Abuja, especially as the federal government intensifies infrastructure development efforts across the FCT.
Amaechi and Wike, both former governors of Rivers State, have a long-standing political rivalry, which often plays out in public commentary. The recent exchange is yet another chapter in their ongoing political disagreements.
