Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has acknowledged and corrected his political mistakes by reconciling with the camp that brought him to power, insisting the governor had no better option than to return to his political family.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday after inspecting ongoing road projects across the Federal Capital Territory, Wike dismissed claims that Fubara’s reconciliation amounted to seeking forgiveness following their prolonged political rift.
According to the former Rivers State governor, politics is about recognising errors and taking the necessary steps to correct them.
“I don’t know what you mean by sin. In politics, there is no sin. If someone realises they made a mistake and decides to correct it, there is nothing wrong with that. Politics is not a sin. What matters is recognising that you were on the wrong path and making the right decision,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister recalled that he had predicted Fubara’s return to his political camp during a recent media chat, maintaining that the governor had no viable alternative.
“I said during my last media chat that he had no other choice but to return to the same political family that produced him. I have now been informed that he has made that declaration publicly, and we welcome him.
“Our doors are open. Everyone is welcome for us to work together. There is no better alternative. We will all work together to move the state forward,” he stated.
Wike further said Fubara’s public declaration of reconciliation would strengthen efforts to mobilise political support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 general elections.
“He has publicly stated that he has returned to where he started, and we receive him with an open mind. There is nothing to hide. We will all work together to ensure that we deliver the votes President Tinubu needs for his re-election,” he added.
The minister made the remarks while leading senior officials of the FCT Administration on an inspection tour of major infrastructure projects, including the ISEX Road Corridor and the Apo-Karshi Road, both considered strategic projects expected to stimulate development in key parts of the nation’s capital.
Expressing satisfaction with the pace of work on the ISEX Road, Wike said construction commenced immediately after President Tinubu inaugurated the project during activities marking the administration’s third anniversary. He disclosed that the contractor had assured the government the road would be ready for commissioning in December.
The 10-kilometre project, originally awarded in 2014, has remained incomplete through successive administrations.
Wike explained that the contractor had committed to completing six kilometres of the road and critical interchanges before year-end, subject to the timely release of budgeted funds.
“We have appealed to the Minister of Finance because the project is already captured in the national budget. If part of the funds is released, the contractor will be able to meet the deadline,” he said.
He described the road as a critical infrastructure project capable of transforming the FCT and accelerating economic development.
Wike also noted that the near completion of the Apo-Karshi Road and the anticipated delivery of the ISEX Road demonstrate the Tinubu administration’s commitment to completing inherited projects rather than abandoning them.
Reflecting on the state of infrastructure inherited in 2023, the minister said numerous abandoned projects had slowed development across the FCT until President Tinubu directed that ongoing projects be completed to safeguard public investments.
He stressed that continuity in governance remains a hallmark of responsible leadership.
“Some people assume office and say they will only focus on projects they initiated. That is not leadership. Good leadership is continuing projects that are vital to the development of the city, projects that transform the landscape and improve the economy.
“We are pleased with the progress the contractors are making. It is now our responsibility to fulfil our own obligations so they can complete these projects on schedule,” Wike said.
Credit: Vanguard except headline
