Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that the build-up to the 2027 general elections will not slow down infrastructure delivery in Abuja, insisting that the administration’s performance remains its strongest campaign tool.
Speaking on Wednesday after inspecting ongoing road projects across the FCT, Wike said the government was already campaigning through visible development rather than political rhetoric.
“We are already campaigning with our performance. The major campaign is to provide the dividends of democracy. What are you going to tell the people when you have nothing to show? Our campaign is showing what we have done,” he said.
The minister stressed that governance would remain the priority despite the political season, adding that the transformation taking place across the FCT serves as a report card for President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“All we have to do is go back to the people and tell them we made promises and kept them. People want to see your report card, not empty rhetoric. As far as the FCT is concerned, we have shown our report card, and we have no problem winning any election whenever INEC fixes it,” Wike added.
The minister inspected the construction of the Arterial Road N16 from Ring Road II to Ring Road III, linking Jahi, Gwarimpa and Karsana, being executed by CBC Global, as well as the 7.3-kilometre Tunga Madaki–Zuba road connecting the Abuja-Kaduna Highway, handled by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC).
Expressing satisfaction with progress on the Arterial Road N16 project, Wike said the contractor had assured the FCT Administration that the road would be completed by January.
“The road is very critical. If they deliver it by January as promised, I will be highly impressed. On our part, we will ensure adequate funding because once this road is completed, the entire Gwarimpa axis will be opened up,” he said.
He also commended the pace of work on the Tunga Madaki–Zuba road, noting that CCECC had pledged to complete the project by December despite the challenges posed by the rainy season.
“I’m very impressed with what they are doing. The promises we made during the flag-off and commissioning of these projects are likely to be fulfilled. Despite the rains slowing earthworks, they have concentrated on drainage construction, which is progressing well,” the minister said.
Wike disclosed that he had approved the relocation of electricity poles along the road corridor to enable the installation of streetlights.
He further praised the commitment of Chinese construction firms working on major FCT projects, noting that many begin work without waiting for mobilisation payments because of their confidence in the government’s ability to honour contractual obligations.
“What gives us happiness with these companies, particularly the Chinese companies, is that they don’t wait for mobilisation before starting work. They know the government will pay, and funding has not been a problem. As soon as I return to the office, I will ensure that funds are made available so we can achieve what we have promised,” he said.
Wike urged the contractors to sustain the quality and speed of project execution, reaffirming the FCT Administration’s commitment to delivering critical infrastructure under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The inspection forms part of the administration’s routine monitoring of ongoing projects to ensure timely delivery of roads and other public infrastructure across the Federal Capital Territory.