Tinubu’s mediation in Rivers crisis has eased tensions – Wike

• Tours key project sites in FCT ahead of 3rd year anniversary

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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike has praised President Bola Tinubu’s timely intervention in Rivers State’s ongoing political standoff, saying it has stabilised the situation and could signal the end of the rift.

During Tuesday’s inspection of key road projects in Abuja, Wike highlighted the president’s fatherly role in bridging divides between the state legislature and the governor.

“Mr. President has been very kind to the people of the state. If there seems to be a problem between the legislature and the governor, as a father, he has to intervene,” Wike said.

This marks the second such presidential effort, and Wike expressed strong optimism for lasting peace.

“I believe, by the grace of God, this will be the last time. I have told the Assembly to do the needful and obey Mr. President, which I know they will not hesitate to do. I also believe the governor will carry out his own part to make sure this is the final time Rivers people will hear this kind of discord,” he added.

He spoke right after he toured the finished N5 road at Life Camp, built by Julius Berger, and the expansive Karsana road network under construction by Lubriks Construction.

At Life Camp, Wike said he was pleased with the progress, noting final touches on ancillary features.

“You were there when Julius Berger said in three weeks they would have finished. What they are working on now are the walkways; the streetlights are already there. The last time we went there, the bridges were not complete, but today you can see that the bridges are completed, with four lanes on each side,” he said.

He flagged it as a flagship project eyed for commissioning during President Tinubu’s third year in office.

“We are happy. It is one of those projects that we think will be inaugurated by the president’s third year in office,” Wike stated.

Over at Karsana — a ring road spanning more than 10 kilometres — Wike applauded the contractor’s quality and speed.

“You can see the walkway done here. I’m very impressed with the quality of work. I didn’t know it was like a ring road, covering over 10 kilometres,” he said.

Confident in the May/June deadline, Wike pledged steady funding from the FCT Administration.

“From what I have seen, they are really going to meet up with the set time. On our part, we will make sure they get the necessary funding to finish this project on time,” he said.

Wike reaffirmed his hands-on approach to site visits, underscoring quality enforcement and timely delivery as pillars of the FCT’s infrastructure drive.