From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has declared that Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike will be warmly welcomed into the All Progressive Congress (APC) whenever he is ready to join, hinting that once he does, they will both share in the sentiment of the popular song, singing “as e dey sweet us, e dey pain them.”
“We have somebody in Nyesome Wike, he’s not a member of my party, not yet, but the day he changes his mind and register with progressive, we will welcome him because we will join him in singing as he dey pain dem, e dey sweet us.”
The declaration came during the commissioning of commissioning of the N16 Shehu Shagari Way from Ring Road 1 Nnamdi Azikwe Way to N20 Wole Soyinka Way, Gishiri, and other roads in Katampe District, Abuja.
President Tinubu used the occasion to highlight the significance of the newly commissioned roads as more than just infrastructure but as a symbol of the government’s dedication to urban renewal under its “Renewed Hope” agenda. He said: “I am honoured to be here with you today to commission yet another critical infrastructure, the arterial road number N16, Shehu Shagari way from Ring Road, Nnamdi Azikiwe to arterial road Number N20, Wole Soyinka way, including an interchange and other roads in Katampe district of the Federal Capital Territory. This project represents more than a stretch of asphalt. It affirms our commitment to urban transformation under our renewed Hope agenda.”
He emphasised that the corridor had been underdeveloped for years despite its importance in Abuja’s master plan. “What was once missing as a link is now a modern, functional and durable infrastructure,” he noted, crediting the leadership of the FCT administration under the Minister for this transformation.
Highlighting the broader importance of infrastructure to national development, the President remarked: “Infrastructure is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration and economic opportunity. We recognize that our nation’s development is linked to the quality of infrastructure connecting people, cities and industries. There’s no way industrialization will flourish without good roads.”
He assured Nigerians of the government’s ongoing investments across multiple sectors, including roads, rail, power, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure, stating, “It is only through this coordinated and integrated development that we can unlock Nigeria’s full potential. I promise you, we will.”
President Tinubu also praised Wike’s leadership and the collaborative spirit that made the project possible: “Once again, I commend the Honourable Minister of FCT, Barrister Nyesom Wike, and his team because he could not work alone. He could not achieve this alone without your collaboration. As a team builder, a team player, it is impossible, but you have proved that teamship is the hallmark of good leadership.”
He acknowledged the peaceful relocation and compensation of the Gishiri community affected by the road project: “You (Gishiri community) have been relocated, not that we grabbed the land like any government, we want development, but how well we organize and execute them depends on us. We are there because of the trust you have in us. Thank you very much for your cooperation. We thank you, and we thank the Minister FCT too for relocating your community with peace and good compensation.”