Wike Defends Tinubu’s Infrastructure Record, Tackles David Mark Over Benue Roads

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has defended President Bola Tinubu’s infrastructure record, arguing that the administration’s achievements in road development within three years surpass those of previous governments.

Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the commissioning of the Interchange at the Arterial Road N16, Ring Road II Junction linking the Jahi and Gwarimpa districts of Abuja. President Tinubu was represented at the event by Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The minister’s comments followed recent criticism of the Federal Government by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which he noted had nevertheless acknowledged the administration’s progress in road construction.

“ADC has conceded that in terms of road infrastructure, Mr. President has done very, very well. Without roads, you cannot go to hospital, you cannot go to school, and you cannot go to farm. Roads are the bedrock of development in any society,” Wike said.

He also criticised former Senate President and current ADC National Chairman David Mark, questioning his infrastructure record during his years in office.

According to Wike, the Akwanga–Makurdi road remained in poor condition despite being awarded during Mark’s tenure as Senate President under a ruling party administration.

“The poor people could not afford to travel to Makurdi because there was no road. But David Mark, as Senate President then, was flying helicopters,” he said.

“Today, because of the intervention of this administration, people can drive freely to Makurdi and Otukpo. The same David Mark, who once relied on helicopters, can now travel by road too.”

Wike said the Tinubu administration had demonstrated the importance of continuity in governance by completing projects initiated by previous governments instead of abandoning them.

He noted that the Jahi-Gwarimpa interchange project had been awarded by the immediate past administration but recorded little progress before the current government revived and completed it.

“One of the problems of development in Nigeria is that new administrations often abandon projects initiated by their predecessors. But President Tinubu has shown that government is a continuum. What matters is completing projects for the benefit of the people, regardless of who awarded them,” he said.

The minister added that residents of the area had doubted the project would be completed, describing its delivery as another milestone in the ongoing transformation of the Federal Capital Territory.

He also dismissed claims that the administration’s development efforts were limited to road construction, pointing to investments in water infrastructure across satellite towns.

Wike challenged critics to identify similar investments made in satellite communities by previous administrations, insisting that the Renewed Hope Agenda was delivering measurable improvements across the FCT.