By Philip Yatai
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike has said Rivers’ governor, Siminalayi Fubara, should not have attempted to run for a second term of office.
Fubara, who was Wike’s successor as Rivers’ governor had obtained forms to run on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC to contest for second term.
He also appeared before the committee set up by the APC for screening of governorship aspirants in Abuja.
However, there were controversies on whether he was screened or not as he left the venue of the exercise less that ten minutes after he arrived there.
Fubara later announced that he will not be seeking second term few days to the APC primaries for the governorship election held last week.
However, Wike told journalists in Abuja on Monday that he was not surprised that the Fubara abandoned his plan to seek second term of office.
The Minister said that the governor should not have entered the race initially.
This, according to him, was because had agreed that he will not seek a second term of office to stop his impeachment by Rivers House of Assembly.
“Agreement was reached that his impeachment should be dropped, while he should also not go for a second term,” he said.
Reacting to reports of Mr Kingsley Chinda emerging as the APC candidate for the Rivers governorship race in 2027, Wike said the lawmaker was qualified and politically capable.
He said Chinda’s legislative experience and political influence made him a strong candidate, noting that the party’s interest in him reflected his growing relevance.
Wike added that Chinda, the House of Representatives minority leader, had experience working across both executive and legislative arms of government.
The Minister also described ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT as a clear “demonstration of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to good governance”.
Wike made the remarks on Monday, after inspecting some ongoing projects across the capital city, expressing satisfaction with the pace and quality of delivery by contractors.
He explained that the rapid completion of critical infrastructure and revival of long-abandoned projects reflected Tinubu’s responsiveness to residents’ demand for good governance and urban development.
Citing the Airport Road to Kuje Expressway project, Wike said anyone who saw the road would appreciate the scale and quality of work being delivered by the contractor.
“That is what is called good governance. Tinubu is simply showcasing good governance to the people,” he said, hailing the administration’s infrastructure drive.
He commended the contractor handling the project, describing the execution as a “fantastic job” and noting adherence to acceptable engineering and construction standards.
Wike also lauded the completed first phase of the Kuje to Gwagwalada Road saying, “the quality of work had significantly improved the landscape of the area.
“I am so happy with the quality of the project. You can see how infrastructure has changed the entire landscape of the Kuje area,” he added.
The minister, who also inspected the access road to Renewed Hope City in Karsana, said the project was about 98 per cent completed.
At the Old Keffi Road from Kado Fish Market to Dei Dei, Wike said the contractor was close to finishing asphalt laying and streetlight installation works.
Speaking on the City Gate remodeling project, the minister said the structure now had a new look and commended First Lady Oluremi Tinubu for initiating the project.
“I’m sure anybody who passes here at night will see a different city. They will know they are coming to a city, the capital of Nigeria.
“I think today is one of my happiest days. All the projects we inspected, obviously, are ready for inauguration,” he added.
