Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday congratulated the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) on its victory in Saturday’s elections, while insisting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) remains the country’s foremost opposition platform.

Wike made the remarks during the commissioning of the Water Supply Network to Karu Satellite Town and Environs in Abuja, where Vice President Kashim Shettima represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The minister, who welcomed the Vice President to the ninth day of projects commissioning in the Federal Capital Territory, praised Tinubu for his support for the FCT Administration and for making time to attend the event despite returning from an official engagement in neighbouring Nasarawa State.

“I want to use this opportunity, Mr President, to congratulate your party for winning Saturday’s election and also congratulate my party for maintaining the opposition,” Wike said.

According to him, democracy thrives when there is a healthy balance between a governing party and a vibrant opposition.

“In every political setting, there must be winners and there must be opposition. Today, we are seeing the winning party and the opposition party. The opposition party is not by talking; it is by challenging the ruling party, and we are the only party that is challenging the ruling party. So, we are leading the opposition party,” he stated.

The minister’s comments came amid continuing debates over the state of the opposition and ongoing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Beyond politics, Wike used the occasion to highlight the administration’s infrastructure drive in the FCT, particularly efforts to extend essential services to satellite communities.

He recalled that during President Tinubu’s visit to Beijing in September 2024, the FCT Administration signed a Memorandum of Understanding with CGC Nigeria Limited for the expansion of water supply infrastructure to Abuja’s satellite towns.

Wike said the Karu Water Supply Project was a direct outcome of Tinubu’s directive that the benefits of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project should extend beyond the city centre to underserved communities.

“Last year, when you commissioned the Greater Abuja Water Supply Project, you directed that we should build from the city to the satellite towns,” he said.

He added that the President subsequently approved funding for water projects in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari Area Council under the 2025 national budget, while ensuring the timely release of funds.

“Because you directed the full and early release of what you provided in the national budget, today, in less than one year, you have come back to commission the provision of water in Karu and its neighbouring communities in AMAC,” Wike said.

The minister noted that the contract was awarded in August 2025 and completed in under a year, describing the development as evidence of the effectiveness of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

The newly commissioned project comprises about 194 kilometres of secondary and tertiary pipeline networks designed to provide treated and potable water to residents of Karu, Orozo, Jikwoyi, Kurudu and surrounding communities.

In his address, President Tinubu, represented by Shettima, described access to clean water as a fundamental human right and declared that the era of neglect of Abuja’s satellite towns was over.

The President said the project reflected his administration’s commitment to delivering tangible benefits to ordinary Nigerians, particularly residents of communities that had long lacked basic infrastructure.

Tinubu also commended Wike for driving infrastructure development across the FCT, describing him as the “Mr Project” of the administration.

He said ongoing investments in roads, healthcare, education, housing and water infrastructure demonstrated what could be achieved when vision was matched with effective execution.

Addressing residents of Karu and neighbouring communities, the President urged them to safeguard the facilities against vandalism and illegal connections, stressing that the infrastructure was built for their collective benefit.

He further assured Nigerians that similar interventions were being replicated in other parts of the FCT, including Bwari Area Council, as part of broader efforts to promote inclusive development and improve living standards.

The commissioning of the Karu Water Supply Network formed part of activities marking the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration and the 50th anniversary celebrations of the creation of the Federal Capital Territory.