Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has declared that there is no longer any feud between him and the lawmaker representing the FCT, Senator Ireti Kingibe.
Wike stressed that he was ready to collaborate with the senator whenever the opportunity arises in the interest of Abuja residents.
The Minister stated this on Monday during an end-of-year media parley in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he addressed reports of a frosty relationship between himself and the federal lawmaker.
According to the minister, he does not subscribe to double standards and cautioned politicians against personalising governance issues.
“I don’t like it when people try to ascribe double standards to me. We should be careful in politics. Governance should not be personal,” Wike said.
He disclosed that Senator Kingibe had, in November, written him a letter commending his efforts in transforming Abuja into a modern city, particularly appreciating the rehabilitation of Kuje Street Road.
Reading from the letter, Wike said the senator expressed gratitude to him and the Federal Government for fixing the road, noting that the intervention had positively impacted residents of the area.
“She wrote to appreciate the rehabilitation of Kuje Street Road and thanked the Federal Government for the work done. On behalf of the residents, she expressed heartfelt thanks for our dedication to service and continuous efforts to ensure that Abuja remains a modern city,” he said.
Wike added that the senator also reassured him of her willingness to continue collaborating to advance the development of the FCT.
“So, when someone thanks you for your dedication, the issue should not be personal. The only person I should be talking about is the President who appointed me,” he stated.
The minister further explained that his working relationship with Senator Kingibe remains intact, noting that she is a member of the Senate committee overseeing FCT affairs.
“I have a relationship with the committee overseeing the affairs of the FCT, which she is a member of. There is nothing personal between us,” Wike said.
Reacting to a recent motion raised by Senator Kingibe on the floor of the Senate, where she reportedly described Abuja as “dirty”, Wike said the motion was rejected based on Senate rules governing matters of urgent national importance.
“She raised a matter of Urgent National Importance, but by the rules, what was urgent there?” he queried.
He urged public office holders to learn to appreciate progress, arguing that acknowledging challenges in some areas should not negate the overall improvements recorded in the FCT.
“You commended me for making Abuja a modern city. The mere fact that there are two areas that are not okay does not mean we are not doing well in the FCT,” Wike said.
The minister highlighted improvements in infrastructure and security, noting that Abuja currently is significantly different from what it was a decade ago.
“Look at what Abuja used to be 10 years ago and compare it to what it is today. That alone shows progress. Part of it is security, part of it is infrastructure,” he added.
On sanitation challenges, Wike explained that the contract for sanitation services was awarded by a previous administration and that the current operators’ tenure was nearing its end.
“I told her that their tenure will soon end, after which we will carry out procurement for new operators to take over sanitation in the FCT,” he said.
Wike maintained that it was inconsistent to commend the administration for making Abuja a modern city and later describe it as dirty.
“To appreciate me for making Abuja a modern city and then turn around to say Abuja is dirty doesn’t make sense. Without infrastructure and security, Abuja cannot be described as a modern city,” he concluded.
