By Kazeem Ugbodaga
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday declared that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is ready to welcome the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whenever he chooses to join the party.
The President made the remark while commissioning the Arterial Road N16 project—linking Shehu Shagari Way (Ring Road 1/Nnamdi Azikiwe Way) to Wole Soyinka Way (Arterial Road N20) along with interchanges and feeder roads in Maitama District, Abuja.
The project was executed by the Wike-led FCT Administration.
Commending Wike for his leadership and collaborative governance style, Tinubu said, “He could not achieve this alone without your full cooperation as a team builder and player. You have proved that teamwork is the hallmark of good leadership.”
He also praised traditional rulers and local communities for their support in ensuring peaceful resettlement of residents affected by the development.
“I commend the Minister for relocating the local communities affected by the development, with peace and good compensation. The government has played its part. I urge you to protect this infrastructure and use it wisely,” Tinubu added.
Addressing Wike’s political affiliation with humour, the President told the crowd amid cheers: “He’s not a member of my party, not yet. But the day he changes his mind and registers with the Progressives, we will welcome him because we will enjoy him singing as ‘e dey sweet us’.”
Tinubu described the road project as a symbol of national renewal: “It affirms our commitment to transformation under our Renewed Hope Agenda. What was once a missing link is now a modern, functional, and durable infrastructure, an artery fully realised through the leadership of the FCT Administration under the Honourable Minister, Barrister Wike.”
He noted that the corridor had long been neglected, despite being part of the original Abuja Master Plan.
“This road will ease traffic congestion around Central Abuja and improve connectivity to developing districts such as Katampe, Jahi, and Bwari. It will stimulate housing and business growth while serving as a foundation for future city integration,” the President said.
He further stressed the central role of infrastructure in national development: “Infrastructure is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity. There is no way industrialisation will flourish without good roads. We invest in roads, rail, power, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure. We can only unlock Nigeria’s full potential through this coordinated and integrated development. I promise you, we will.”
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to performance above politics, Tinubu said, “We will continue to build and serve the people, no matter how much the lesser minds pursue their politics.”
In his remarks, Wike expressed gratitude to the President for restoring public confidence in governance and improving contractor morale.
“This road was awarded by the administration. It is not one of those projects we inherited,” he said, explaining that the Federal Executive Council approved the project in September 2023 and construction began the following month.
He admitted having initial doubts about the contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited, but was impressed by their delivery on another project.
“Companies and contractors are competing among themselves to have jobs awarded to them, and they are ready to mobilise to the site without the government paying them for the initial mobilisation. That is confidence-building, and that’s what you’ve created,” Wike told the President.
He assured that all city-based contracts awarded under President Tinubu’s administration would be completed before his third anniversary.
“No contract that you have awarded under the city was abandoned. By the time you do your third anniversary next year, you will see that virtually all the contracts you awarded under you as the President will have finished, to the glory of God,” Wike said.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the newly completed road, he added, “It leads to the judges’ quarters, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, and the Federal Capital Territory, and the judges’ court is almost ready.”
Wike further noted that the administration’s visible achievements had countered opposition efforts.
“Your good works have defeated the coalition. I have instructed my people to ensure that every national television station must hook into the inauguration of projects. They will see what is happening on national television every day on every television channel. They have no choice but to watch Mr. President for the next 17 days.”
Providing technical details, Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, said the 3.7-kilometre Arterial Road N16 stretches from the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (Ring Road One) near Transcorp Hilton to Wole Soyinka Way.
“The corridor integrates Maitama, Katampe, Utako, Jahi, and surrounding districts, providing critical linkages for residents and commercial users.”
He detailed the scope of work, which includes two interchanges, multiple flyovers, and extensive infrastructure.
“The arterial N16 is a six-lane dual carriageway with covered parking lanes, effectively making it an eight-lane road,” he said.
Dauda added that the project was delivered with full engineering infrastructure, including water drainage, sewage, telecom ducts, and modern street lighting: “The work has been practically completed and is ready to be used. The completion of this project has provided the much-needed circulation and connection within the city, especially linking the 21 districts of Maitama, Utako, Jahi, and others.”
