By Daniel Tyokua
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has dismissed claims that he interfered in the All Progressives Congress (APC) screening of Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Wike said he had no role in the party’s internal affairs, noting that he is not a member of the APC and would not comment on its screening process.
The statement follows media reports on Sunday suggesting that Fubara “walked out of the APC screening visibly angry.”
Wike said, “I’m not a member of APC, so I don’t know what’s happening on their screening. I don’t also know where they publish the results,” he said. “Even if they do, why would I comment? I don’t know the reasons they have.Fubara didn’t tell me he has a problem”
He added that he had not been informed of any issues by the individual in question and dismissed speculation that he was behind the development.
“Our own party will still start its screening today and tomorrow. That’s where you should ask me questions. What party is to me, not what is outside me. We’re not in the same party.”
Asked about the adoption of the Rainbow Coalition for the upcoming election, Wike said the coalition would be used strategically.
“That is the essence of the Rainbow Coalition. We’ll look at where we have the strength and where we don’t, and we’ll vote accordingly,” he said.
Wike stated this while fielding questions from journalists after an inspection tour of projects Monday, expressing satisfaction with the pace of work on key infrastructure projects across the FCT, saying they will be ready for inauguration by President Bola Tinubu during his third year anniversary.
He visited the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana, road works in the Body of Benchers area, and the Tungan Madaki bridge project.
At the Renewed Hope Estate in Karsana, the minister said about 500 meters of asphalt work remained.
He noted that the contractor, Lubricks, had committed to completing streetlights before the end of the month.
“We are very happy with what we have seen on ground,” Wike said.
In the Body of Benchers area, Wike confirmed that the road had been completed, with CCECC undertaking the installation of streetlights. The contractor promised to finish the lighting within 10 days, a timeline he said had been verified.
At Tungan Madaki, Wike said the bridge had been launched and work had commenced on the extension of the road from Tungan Madaki to Zuba, in line with his directive.
“The job is almost completed. The bridge has been launched. In fact, they have started the one we directed them to do, from here to Zuba,” he said.
He described the contractors as “a wonderful team” delivering quality jobs, and said all the projects would form part of the projects scheduled for inauguration by the President.
The inspections are part of ongoing efforts to fast-track infrastructure delivery in the FCT ahead of the administration’s anniversary celebrations.
