Key Takeaways
- Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has welcomed Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara back to his political camp.
- Wike believes Fubara's return will strengthen efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu's second-term bid.
- The reconciliation announcement came as Wike inspected major road projects in the FCT, including the ISEX Road Corridor and the Apo-Karshi Road.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory FCT, Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara committed no wrongdoing by reconciling with his political camp, insisting the governor had no other option than to return to the political family that produced him. Speaking with journalists on Tuesday after inspecting some ongoing road projects across the territory, Wike dismissed suggestions that Fubara’s return amounted to forgiveness after years of political disagreement.
He said, “I don’t know what you mean by sin. In politics, there is no sin. If someone realises they made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that. Politics is not a sin. What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and making the right decision.” The minister recalled that he had predicted the reconciliation well before Fubara made it public.
Reconciliation and its Impact
Wike added that Fubara’s public declaration of reconciliation would strengthen efforts to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid ahead of the 2027 general election. “He has publicly stated that he has returned to where he started, and we receive him with an open mind. There is nothing to hide. We will all work together to ensure that we deliver the votes President Tinubu needs for his re-election,” he said.
The reconciliation announcement came as Wike led senior officials of the FCT Administration on an inspection of major road projects, including the ISEX Road Corridor and the nearly completed Apo-Karshi Road, both regarded as strategic infrastructure expected to unlock development across large sections of the capital city. He expressed satisfaction with progress on the ISEX Road, noting that work began immediately after President Tinubu flagged off the project during the third anniversary commissioning of landmark infrastructure across the FCT.
Infrastructure Development
Awarded in 2014, the 10-kilometre road, complete with interchanges, has remained unfinished through successive administrations. Wike disclosed that the contractor had undertaken to complete six kilometres of the road and key interchanges before the end of the year, provided adequate funding is released. “We have appealed to the Minister of Finance because the project is already captured in the national budget. If part of the funds is released, the contractor will be able to meet the deadline,” he explained, describing the road as central to transforming the landscape of the territory.
Wike credited the president with directing that all inherited projects be completed to protect public investments already made. “Some people assume office and say they will only focus on projects they initiated. That is not leadership. Good leadership is continuing projects that are vital to the development of the city, projects that transform the landscape and improve the economy.”
Why This Matters
The reconciliation between Fubara and his political camp, coupled with the progress in infrastructure development, is expected to have a positive impact on President Tinubu's re-election bid and the overall development of the Federal Capital Territory. With the completion of key projects, the administration aims to deliver on its promises and transform the landscape of the city.