- As Wike challenges to opposition coalition to prove their worth
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has emphasised that the current administration is committed not only to infrastructure development but also to restoring public trust in government.
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the commissioning of the newly rehabilitated Aguma Palace–Radio Nigeria–New Market Road in Gwagwalada Area Council, he declared that the era of unfulfilled promises is over.
“What brings us together on this historic day is more than a road. It is a reminder that no community under this administration is too far to be seen and nobody is too pained to be heard. I am not only delighted to be in Gwagwalada today, I am deeply fulfilled by what this business signifies, that we are steadily bridging the gap between promise and performance.”
Tinubu described the road as a “corridor of dignity for the market women, a path to safety for our school children and a road to prosperity for the hard-working trader.” He added, “The days of empty promises and abundant projects are behind us. We are not just building infrastructure, we are building confidence in governance.”
He stressed that the project was a response to grassroots demands, not a top-down directive, highlighting the administration’s commitment to participatory democracy.
“What makes this moment even more remarkable is that the projects we are unveiling were not imposed from above. They were nominated by the people of Gwagwalada themselves, and this is the kind of democracy we believe in. One that listens, one that responds, and one that delivers.”
He also pointed to ongoing reforms in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), stating, “The federal capital territory is the product of deliberate reforms and the bold reform-oriented policies of this administration. By expanding the revenue base of the FCT, we are investing in roads, schools, hospitals and people.” He commended Minister Nyesom Wike’s leadership, saying, “I thank him for proving that disruption is not a threat to order, but a requirement for progress.”
Wike earlier, criticised opposition politicians for forming a coalition just 18 months after President Tinubu’s inauguration, challenging them to present their achievements to Nigerians.
“I never knew people were so pained that so many things are going on very well in the FCT. Until last night, when I was watching Politics Today, I saw one of the presidential aspirants from the coalition party, an industrialist, so pained—to the point that he was angry the President, Vice President, Senate President, Speaker, and Secretary to the Government of the Federation are coming to commission projects. Yet they say Nigerians are angry.”
Wike questioned the timing and motives behind the coalition, noting, “Eighteen months ago you started a coalition—six months into his tenure? When will you stop deceiving Nigerians? Someone had only been in office for six months, and you had already begun forming a coalition claiming he hadn’t performed?”
He challenged former officeholders, including Rotimi Amaechi and David Mark, to present their records: “I have said it before—everybody, show your scorecard. When I was Senate President, let me show my scorecard. How did I help the people of Benue State? How did I help the people of Otukpo? We’ve been here 16 days and we’re already showing our scorecard. Operation ‘show your scorecard.’ God gave you the opportunity to be in office and make Nigerians happy, yet, according to you, you refused. Now that you’ve left office, you are angry. You say Nigerians are angry. No—you are angry because you’re no longer in power. You want to come back. But you won’t. You will not return to power.”
Wike also criticised the coalition’s support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, referencing his frequent party changes: “In 2023, they said they would support one man, whose business since 1999 has been jumping from one party to another. In 1999, he was in one party. In 2006, another party. In 2014, he moved again. In 2019, he switched again. Now in 2025, he’s forming another coalition. Were you born into coalition?”