Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Friday raised the political stakes over the performance of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that he would resign from the Federal Executive Council if anyone could prove within 48 hours that his claims on road construction across Abuja’s satellite towns were false.
The bold declaration came as Wike insisted that the scale of infrastructure development under President Tinubu had effectively disarmed political opponents, arguing that tangible projects had become the administration’s strongest response to criticism.
Speaking during the commissioning of the reconstructed Arab/Gbazango Road in Kubwa, Bwari Area Council, the last of a series of projects inaugurated under the FCT Administration’s month-long commissioning programme to mark Tinubu’s third anniversary in office, Wike maintained that the administration’s achievements were verifiable and open to public scrutiny.
According to the minister, the FCT Administration has, since May 29, 2023, awarded contracts for 317 kilometres of roads in Abuja’s satellite towns, completed 221 kilometres, while work continues on the remaining 96 kilometres.
He stressed that the figures relate exclusively to projects in satellite communities and do not include roads constructed within the Abuja city centre by the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA).
Throwing down the challenge, Wike said anyone disputing the figures should appear on national television within 48 hours to prove him wrong.
“If anybody can show that what I have said is false, that we did not award 317 kilometres of roads or complete 221 kilometres, I will resign as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” he declared.
The former Rivers State governor said the administration’s focus on infrastructure had fundamentally changed communities long neglected outside Abuja’s city centre, insisting that governance was ultimately measured by visible results rather than political rhetoric.
He argued that President Tinubu’s performance in the FCT had deprived the opposition of a credible campaign narrative.
“If there are opponents of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, with what you have done in their lifetime, they cannot do anything again. When they go to the people, they will be asked, ‘What did you do when you had the opportunity?’ That is what I call ‘operation show your report card,'” Wike said.
The minister described the FCT’s commissioning programme, which ran from June 9 to July 17, as unprecedented, saying no previous administration had sustained project commissioning over such a period.
He disclosed that more than 53 projects had been commissioned since Tinubu assumed office and announced that another round of project inaugurations, involving at least 10 additional projects, would take place before the end of the year.
Wike also assured residents that the Apo-Karshi and Bwari-Kubwa roads would be completed before year-end, while directing the Executive Secretary of the FCDA to urgently address water supply challenges raised by community leaders in Kubwa.
His resignation challenge quickly sparked heated debate across social media, where Nigerians expressed sharply contrasting views on both his leadership style and the FCT Administration’s performance.
Some users argued that Wike’s confrontational politics often overshadowed his achievements.
“Wike attracts critiques because of his garrulous and brutal ways of playing politics, but in reality, he’s a performer,” wrote Segun Benson on X.
Others questioned the transparency of the road contracts. Idris Garba called for the disclosure of contract values, asking: “How much was awarded for the road? We want the figure.”
Several users dismissed the resignation challenge itself. Emmytoby wrote that the minister was unlikely to step down regardless of the outcome, saying, “You will never resign, sir. Even if heavens fall, you will never do that.”
Despite expressing reservations about Wike’s style, Skypond conceded that the infrastructure claims appeared credible.
“I no like this man style but wetin he talk na fact,” the user wrote, adding that the figures would be even higher if ongoing projects were included.
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Another user, Obi, argued that the administration’s achievements remained too narrowly focused on road construction, while PeaceNation shifted attention to urban planning, urging the government to prioritise pedestrian walkways and safer sidewalks alongside road expansion.
Backing the minister, Labama Bagudu maintained that the visible transformation of satellite communities spoke for itself.
“Wike may be loud but the results speak louder, satellite towns finally seeing real roads after years of neglect. Performance over politics,” the user wrote.
Facebook users were similarly divided. While Swanty Kun dismissed Wike’s comments as political posturing, Gwandy Jesse said he could personally attest to the improvements in road infrastructure.
Another resident, Muhammed Imam, acknowledged ongoing development but appealed to the minister to reopen the road linking Lifecamp and Gwarimpa, saying its closure had worsened traffic congestion.
