Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike, today inaugurated two newly constructed roads in the Mabushi District: ILS 11 (Esther Bali Street) and MAR 24 (Kez Udezue Street). The event took place amid pointed remarks by the minister, who used the occasion to criticise former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, over his commentary on the condition of public amenities in the FCT.

At the commissioning, Wike invoked the concept of civic responsibility, urging citizens to engage constructively rather than resort to social media denunciations. He recounted how a private individual, Damian Dodo, SAN, alerted his office about the dilapidated state of Kez Udezue Street. Wike said he immediately directed the FCT Development Agency (FCDA) to inspect and rehabilitate the road.

“If you are a responsible citizen, you don’t merely post complaints on social media. You call government attention when you see something amiss — and we will respond,” he said.
He acknowledged that no administration, regardless of tenure, can complete every project, and that citizenship ought to include collaboration with the government.
During his remarks, Wike also teased the possibility of renaming the street for Mr Dodo but quipped that “some may bring in ethnicity.”

In thanking the citizen, he emphasised that the FCT administration would honour those who contribute positively to governance.
Turning to recent statements by Peter Obi, who had visited a public primary school in Kapwa, Abuja, and criticised the FCT administration’s handling of public education, Wike fired back.
“Mr Peter Obi, you governed Anambra for eight years. If you had finished all the jobs in those eight years, nobody would still be talking about developing Anambra today,” he said, accusing Obi of placing state funds in banks — including “your bank, Fidelity” — rather than investing them in infrastructure.

Wike challenged Obi to compare his eight years in Anambra with the FCT’s two-year record under his watch. “Can you really say you love Nigeria? Can you really say you love Anambra?” he asked, concluding: “If I were you, I would be quiet.”
He also derided the notion of a “social media presidency,” saying Obi’s penchant for high-profile gestures — such as holding birthday parties in internally displaced persons’ (IDP) camps — did not equate to genuine service.
Wike further defended his administration’s performance, stating that 73 schools across the FCT are currently under renovation, 21 of which have been completed. He said 102 contracts have been awarded in the education sector and that work is ongoing on others.

Wike expressed gratitude to Lubrik Construction, the firm that executed the road works, and reaffirmed that the awarding of the contract six months ago reflected confidence in the FCT administration.
He pledged further interventions, announcing that the next day would see the commissioning of an alternative road at the Body of Benchers’ premises, while on Monday his team would deliver 300-bed dormitories each for male and female students at the Nigerian Law School, citing presidential intervention on the request.
He praised the FCDA’s Executive Secretary and staff for their commitment, warning that working with him would demand consistent productivity.

“I will not allow you to sleep,” he warned, reinforcing his expectation of diligence.
Wike closed by reiterating the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of his government — restoring confidence in governance by ensuring tangible improvements in the lives of residents. He called on residents and businesses in Mabushi to benefit from easier access and improved infrastructure that, he said, should catalyse economic activity in the area.
“Today we commissioned these roads because a responsible citizen called our attention. That is what governance should look like,” he said.

The minister’s forceful response to Obi signals that the politics of 2027 are already influencing public discourse over performance, development claims, and narrative control. Wike’s approach blends project delivery announcements with direct rebuttals of critics — an evolving strategy for governing under intensifying political competition.
In the weeks ahead, attention will shift to whether the FCT administration delivers on its promises — particularly to education infrastructure — and whether the public will accept electoral rhetoric as a proxy for governance results.