By Ade Iyamoye
President Bola Tinubu’s decision to entrust Nyesom Wike, a key opposition figure, with the transformation of Abuja is proving to be one of his most strategic political moves.
Despite Wike’s affiliation with the opposition, Tinubu placed his confidence in the former Rivers State governor, and the results are reshaping the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
During a Sallah homage at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu shared how Wike had approached him with a bold request—to remove the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA), to accelerate infrastructure projects.
While Tinubu admitted he initially had political reservations, even warning Wike that his job might be at risk if the initiative favored the opposition too much, he ultimately approved the plan based on its potential impact.
The results have been remarkable. Under Wike’s leadership, abandoned projects across the FCT have been revived, health centers rehabilitated, and schools upgraded.
The long-neglected residence of the Vice President has been restored, while rural communities are witnessing long-overdue infrastructural expansion.
These achievements underscore the power of pragmatic governance over political loyalty.
Tinubu, known for his strategic approach to leadership, acknowledged that without Wike’s progressive initiatives, his administration would have little to celebrate in the FCT.
He credited Wike’s effectiveness with improvements in security, food price stabilization, and overall governance—clear indicators of an administration focused on tangible results.
Beyond Abuja’s development, Tinubu highlighted a larger lesson: Nigeria’s diversity is an asset that should be harnessed for national growth.
Wike, a southerner, excelling in the northern-dominated FCT, exemplifies the power of competence over political or ethnic considerations.
At a time when partisanship often hinders progress, Tinubu’s decision to back Wike, despite their political differences, reinforces a critical message—good governance is about results, not party lines.
The transformation of Abuja under Wike stands as a testament that when leadership is based on vision and trust, national development takes precedence over politics.
