By Rabi Musa Umar
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has commended the critical role of responsible citizenship in governance and infrastructure development, stressing that a good citizen focuses on the welfare of the country rather than engaging in unnecessary criticisms.
The FCT Minister made the remarks in Abuja on Thursday, October 16, 2025, during the commissioning of newly constructed roads within Mabushi District.
Barr, Wike revealed that the Mabushi road project was initiated not from an official memo, but from a personal call by a responsible citizen, Damien Dodo (SAN), who alerted him to the deplorable condition of the road. He said, “That is what responsible citizens should do, not by going to social media and begin to castigate government for political purposes”.
The Minister stressed that the identified resident neither lived nor worked on the street, but recognized a public need and took the necessary steps in contacting government for action.
He said, “I was in my office when one of my friends called my attention to the Kez Udezue Street in Mabushi District, which, he said, was terribly bad. I directed the Executive Secretary of FCDA to ascertain the condition of the road, and he came back to me and confirmed that the road was in poor condition. I said okay, look for any contractor that has the capacity to move in and see that we solve that problem”.
In recognition of this exemplary action, the Minister publicly thanked the good resident and announced that the FCT Administration will also honour him for being a good citizen.
While focusing on the positive impact of good citizenship, Barr. Wike also addressed what he called “political criticism”, especially from the former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the last general election, Mr. Peter Obi, who had accused the government of abandoning public schools, cautioning him against politicizing every issue.
He described Peter Obi as a social media presidential candidate who would rather engage in political criticisms, challenging the former Governor to compare the FCT Administration’s achievements in less than two years to his eight-year tenure in Anambra.
The Minister said, “It is not everything you must play politics with. Peter Obi, you were Governor for eight years in Anambra State…. Instead of developing Anambra, you took the money and put in the bank you have interest, Fidelity Bank. Anambra State had problems, the money was there to develop Anambra State, but you preferred profits and put the money for the development of Anambra State in the bank you have the largest share, so that profit will be coming and Anambra will be suffering.
“We just came into office two years ago, we have not even stayed four years, but you stayed eight good years. Compare two years in office of what we have done in the FCT to what you did for eight years in office in Anambra. Can you really say you love this country? Can You really say you love ndi Anambra? Certainly not”.
Barr. Wike also dismissed Obi’s recent actions, such as celebrating his birthday in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp, as political stunts, noting that such public gestures do not translate to love for Nigeria. He also criticized Obi’s inability to manage his own political party, questioning his capacity to manage a “complex nation like Nigeria”.
The Minister stressed that success in governance was achieved through focus, not propaganda, and assured that his achievements would silence critics. “We will show you by next week what we have been able to do in our public schools under two years”, he promised.
He also highlighted the impact of President Tinubu’s leadership in securing interventions in the legal sector, revealing that the FCTA would soon flag off the construction of an alternative road for the Body of Benchers complex in the Research and Institutions District, in addition to providing 600 new bed spaces for the Nigerian Law School in Bwari.
“We must be happy that we have a President who remembers the requests being made to him,” the Minister stated.
Speaking on the newly constructed Esther Bali and Kez Udezue streets in Mabushi District, the Minister commended the contractor, Lubrik Construction, for the speedy delivery of the road, noting that the company had gone far with work even before the official award paper was issued—a sign of the confidence it has in the FCT Administration.
Earlier, while delivering the Vote of Thanks, the Minister of State, FCT, Dr Mariya Mahmoud, said the provision of the road project in Mabushi was a testament to the impact of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the FCT and thanked the President for his continuous support. She also extended appreciation to the FCT Minister for his dedication and commitment to delivering on promises made and commended the National Assembly for its continuous legislative support and prompt approval of funds necessary for capital projects.
Presenting an overview of the project, Executive Secretary, Federal Capital Development Authority, FCDA, Engr Richard Yunana Dauda, said the construction of Access Road to Esther Bali and Kez Udezue Streets in Mabushi District was in continuation of the mandate of developing the Federal Capital Territory in line with the Abuja Master Plan.
He remarked that the contractor had mobilized to site immediately the contract was awarded in May 2025, and practically completed it before the stipulated project time of six months.
He stated that the scope of work executed under the project included earthworks, surface water drainage system, asphalt paved roads with walkways, culverts, box and pipe culverts, power and water supply networks, as well as solar street lights.
The Executive Secretary pointed out that the completed roads would further enhance the rapid development of Mabushi District, leading to improved quality of life, well-being of the residents, and a more efficient security system.
The contractor of the project, Lubrik Nigeria Limited, represented by its Technical Manager, Engr. Anthony El-Khoury, appreciated the Minister of the FCT for the trust placed in his company to undertake the project. He also thanked the FCT Administration’s supervisors and engineers for their hard work and professionalism, which made it possible for them to deliver within the required standards and timelines.
The contractor stressed that from the onset, the target of the company was not just to build a road, but to construct a facility that stands the test of time, and is meant to meet both present and future needs of residents of the area, adding that his company took pride in its work, and looked forward to being involved in more project opportunities in the FCT.
