FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has faulted the African Democratic Congress, ADC, for rejecting a court judgment that invalidated its David Mark-led National Working Committee.
Wike, while speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council on Monday, emphasized that political parties must respect judicial rulings and focus on public welfare rather than internal power struggles.
He cautioned that continuous political posturing and media-driven criticism by opposition figures have historically failed to bring tangible progress to the territory.
The Minister also questioned the motives of critics who fight against progressive judicial and administrative reforms, stressing that a political party should only serve as a temporary vehicle to achieve governance, rather than a platform for perpetual conflict.
“Isn’t it that a party is a vehicle that you enter intentionally to go where you are going? When you get there, you talk about development, you talk about good governance, and how you can bring welfare to your people,” Wike stated.
He commended local area chairmen who have resolved to work together across party lines for the collective interest of the FCT, adding, “There is no need to be fighting. For the interest of the people, for the interest of FCT—that is what we are talking about.”
The Minister maintained that the current administration under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has taken decisive actions to grant long-overdue autonomy to the FCT.
He highlighted major structural breakthroughs, including the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of an indigenous Head of Service, and the removal of the FCT from the Single Treasury Account (TSA) which helped drive internally generated revenue from N9 billion to over N40 billion.
Wike reassured residents that the administration remains focused on completing abandoned road projects and will step on toes where necessary to ensure infrastructure delivery, including the revocation of contracts from companies lacking execution capacity.
In his remarks, the Etsu of Kwali, His Royal Highness Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, validated the Minister’s position on development, declaring that traditional rulers and communities are ready to mobilize support for the administration.
Speaking on behalf of the Kwali Council of Chiefs, the monarch cited the Dr Ladi Kwali Road, the Sukuku-Yangoji Road, and the Gwagwalada-Dafa network among infrastructure projects that have successfully connected rural political wards to the central city.
“Politics is a game of demand and supply. It was in this town hall that we made demands. At commissioning grounds and groundbreaking events, we made demands, and those demands have been met. It is our turn to supply. Be reassured that we are making a commitment this afternoon that, by the grace of God, we are behind the President, and we will throw our weight behind him like we have never done for any president.”
The meeting concluded with a unified front from local leaders, drawing attendance from the Executive Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Nuhu Daniel Kwali, alongside local councilors, four paramount chiefs, and 15 district heads.
