An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and founder of the Arewa Mandate Alliance (AMA), Yakubu Sani, has urged the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to give greater attention to governance, public services and workers’ welfare in Abuja rather than engaging in political confrontations.
Sani made the call in Abuja while reacting to Wike’s recent political exchanges with APC figures, particularly Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma.
According to Sani, the FCT minister should adopt what he described as a more measured approach to public engagements and avoid turning project commissioning ceremonies into platforms for political disagreements.
APC Chieftain Says Wike Should Emulate Uzodimma
Sani urged Wike to take a cue from Uzodimma, whom he said had focused on governance, infrastructure delivery and political organisation in Imo State.
“Wike should learn from Uzodimma. The Imo governor is working and organising quietly without abusing anybody. He is concentrating on governance, delivering projects and organising the largest support base for the President,” Sani said.
The APC chieftain said Wike could demonstrate his performance through the projects being delivered in Abuja rather than through public exchanges with political opponents.
He also criticised what he described as the minister’s use of project commissioning events for political attacks.
‘Focus on Development, Not Political Confrontations’
Sani said the commissioning of roads, bridges and other infrastructure should provide opportunities to discuss development and the needs of Abuja residents.
“Every road and bridge commissioned in Abuja should be an opportunity to talk about development, not an occasion to abuse or denigrate perceived obstacles to his unbridled and rabid political ambition,” he said.
He argued that political disagreements should not overshadow discussions about infrastructure and public services in the nation’s capital.
The comments come amid ongoing political disagreements involving Wike and some APC governors over political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections. Recent reports have highlighted differences between Wike and governors including Uzodimma over the minister’s proposed Rainbow Coalition and its role in supporting President Bola Tinubu.
Sani Raises Concerns Over FCT Public Services
While acknowledging the infrastructure projects being executed in Abuja, Sani said development should extend beyond roads and bridges.
He called for greater attention to public utilities, municipal services and the welfare of workers employed across the FCT.
“While Wike is building roads and bridges, he should also be asking what is happening to the welfare of teachers, healthcare workers and civil servants in the FCT,” he said.
Sani also raised concerns about water supply, waste disposal and indiscriminate parking in parts of Abuja.
“Many FCT residents don’t have water, while motorists compete with refuse dumps for space on major roads in the city,” he said.
According to him, effective administration of the capital requires functioning public institutions and properly supported workers in addition to physical infrastructure.
‘Workers’ Welfare Should Also Be a Priority’
Sani said teachers, healthcare workers and civil servants play important roles in maintaining essential services in the FCT and should therefore receive adequate attention.
“You cannot build beautiful roads and bridges and ignore the people who teach our children, treat our sick and run the machinery of the government. Their welfare should also be a priority,” he added.
He urged the FCT Administration to address issues affecting residents while continuing with its infrastructure projects.
Wike Asked to Concentrate on FCT Mandate
Sani ultimately called on Wike to focus on the responsibilities attached to his position as FCT minister.
“President Tinubu gave Wike a job to do in Abuja. He should concentrate on that job. Let the quality of his work speak for him instead of using every commissioning ceremony to attack APC governors who are committed to Tinubu’s re-election,” he said.
Wike has continued to defend his political activities and his support for Tinubu, while the APC Progressive Governors’ Forum has maintained its position on protecting the party’s structure and candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
Sani’s comments add to the ongoing debate within Nigeria’s political landscape over Wike’s role in the Tinubu administration, his political activities and the relationship between his support for the President and the APC’s wider electoral strategy.
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