MINISTER of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to delivering on his mandate is matchless, stressing that the myriad of infrastructure projects due for commissioning in the FCT is a testament to the President’s excellent performance.

He disclosed that from Monday June 8, 2026, he would join the President in a project commissioning spree that would last not less than 31 days, explaining that the event is billed to commemorate President Tinubu’s third-year anniversary.

While stressing that the projects, ranging from roads, social amenities and buildings, hold great impact to Nigerians’ wellbeing, the Minister expressed relief that most of the projects are situated in satellite towns.

As to whether the President would be available in person for the 31-day projects commissioning, he said that the Ministry will be guided by the President’s convenience, pointing out however that the remodeled Abuja City Gate will be unveiled by the First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu, who hinted him on the idea.

“The First Lady called and was asking how it looks like entering the city. You see, the suggestions of well-meaning citizens help us in what to do to ensure that the interest of the people are served. If you leave it to contractors, the could be focusing on their areas.

“Similar thing happened when I went to the call to bar of my son, a retired Chief Justice called my attention to the deplorable nature of the road; now if you go to Kuje, right from the Airport Road, you will marvel. So, we are not concentrating development projects in the city centres,” he stated.

On the issue of construction of residential quarters for Judicial staff, including Judges, Wike recalled how he embarked on the reconstruction of the National Industrial Court in Port Harcourt to mitigate the hardship faced by litigants that had to travel to Bayelsa State for their matters.

He said: “Would you call that one inducement? I am no longer the governor, is that facility not serving Rivers people? Mine is to do what should be done instead of worrying about what people will say. It is all about service to the people.”

He disclosed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) nominated a sound Candidate in the person of Professor Sandy Onor as its presidential candidate, contending that the attempt to drag the former President Goodluck Jonathan into the 2027 presidential contest should be seen as the handiwork of busybody politicians.

Contrasting the emergence of Prof Onor as PDP’s standard bearer with the no-show event orchaestrated by the Kabiru Tanimu Turaki-led faction, Wike maintained that it is anomalous for anybody to be dragged against his will to contest election into a public office.

He explained that the attempt to prevent the Turaki faction from accessing the venue for their kangaroo primary was informed by the need to maintain peace and public order in the FCT, remarking that it was possible that fracas would have broken out or a rival group invading the venue.

On what advise he could give to his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi regarding the search by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for a running mate, Wike declared that the issue of running mate is dead on arrival since according to him, Nigerians have resolved that the rotation principle that keeps the Presidency in the South till 2031.

Recalling his experience in 2022 as a presidential aspirant in PDP, Wike said that he knew from day one that the so-called Coalition was a ballyhoo and a trap set by Atiku for other presidential aspirants like Amaechi and Peter Obi.

“If you are a politician, you should know what will or not work. Senator David Mark was the chairman of the Presidential primary, you saw what he did after campaigns ended by allowing (Aminu) Tambuwal to return and canvass for votes for Atiku? Then, there was Ben Obi. Do you know how close he is to Atiku?

“Ben Obi was following Peter Obi everywhere; by the time Peter Obi left, Sam Egwu joined him, but Ben Obi remained. ADC coalition was a set up and created to serve Atiku’s interest. Two presidential aspirants have come out to condemn the ADC presidential primary, describing it as fraudulent. We are vindicated,” he stated.

The FCT Minister disclosed that the Rainbow Coalition comprising APC, PDP and Labour Party, in Rivers State is intended to engender collegiate approach to governance, stressing that by mid-August, the Coalition will arrive on a compromise governorship candidate.

While rebuffing suggestions that he forced Governor Siminalayi Fubara to abandon his second term ambition, Wike disclosed that the incumbent governor remains a member of the Rainbow Coalition, explaining that his trip outside the country explains his absence from recent activities.

He said that Fubara informed him of his trip overseas, adding that all hands are on deck in Rivers State to ensure that President Tinubu wins by a wide margin during the January 18, 2027 presidential poll.

He assured that there would be no breakout from the Rainbow Coalition by the next governor, stressing that the collaboration has been structured in such a way to protect every sectional and group interests.