Rivers 2027:Fubara Agreed Not To Seek Second Term- Wike

…. Hails Near-Completion Of Major FCT Projects, Backs Chinda’s Emergence As Rivers APC Guber Candidate

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Monday said Governor Siminalayi Fubara agreed not to seek a reelection so that the impeachment process against him could be dropped during the peace meeting with President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking at the inspection of ongoing infrastructural projects across the FCT, Wike expressed satisfaction with the quality and pace of the projects , adding that several of them were ready for inauguration.

Wike, who also threw his weight behind the emergence of Hon. Kingsley Chinda as governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, said “the lawmaker has the experience and political pedigree needed to be a governor.”

Speaking on Monday, during an inspection tour of key projects in the nation’s capital, Wike said the projects reflected the commitment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration to delivering visible governance through infrastructural renewal.

“I think today is one of the happiest days. The projects we inspected, obviously, they are ready for inauguration,” the minister said.

Wike first inspected the Renewed Hope City road project in Karsana, which he said was about 98 per cent completed, commending the contractor, Lubriks Construction Company, for what he described as excellent delivery.

He also expressed satisfaction with work on the Old Keffi Road and Dei-Dei road projects, noting that asphalt work had largely been completed while installation of streetlights was ongoing.

At the Airport Road to Kuje Road project being handled by Arab Contractors, Wike described the work as “fantastic,” saying the road would significantly improve connectivity and boost economic activities in the area.

“I’m sure anybody who goes there will admire it and that is what is called governance. We are very proud of the contractors and what they have done,” he stated.

The minister further inspected the Kuje-Gwagwalada road project being executed by Gilmor Engineering Limited, where he said infrastructure development had transformed the landscape of the area.

“You can see how infrastructure has changed the entire landscape of the Kuje area,” he said.

Wike later visited the City Gate project being handled by Julius Berger, describing the ongoing transformation as a major facelift for the capital city.

According to him, the project, initiated by Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, would redefine the entrance into Abuja, especially at night.

“When you have a good woman who means well for the administration of her husband, I’m talking about the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, this is her brainchild,” he said.

“I’m happy with the contractor. They promised that by the end of May or first week of June they would hand over this project and they have kept to time.

“Anybody who passes here in the night will see a different city when they are coming in. They will know they are coming to the capital of Nigeria.”

On the emergence of Hon. Kingsley Chinda as the APC governorship candidate, Wike said; “A good product markets itself. Everybody knows that Kingsley Chinda is the material. He is quite experienced. He has worked with the executive and now in the legislature.”

The FCT minister added that Chinda’s political credentials and public acceptance made his emergence unsurprising.

Wike also said he was not surprised that the incumbent governor, Siminalayi Fubara, eventually withdrew from the governorship race, insisting that an earlier agreement had barred him from seeking a second tenure.

“I’m not surprised that the governor withdrew. In the first place, he ought not to have collected the form because the agreement was reached that impeachment should be dropped while he should also not talk about second tenure,” he stated.

Wike accused the governor of failing to demonstrate “gentlemanliness” by initially obtaining nomination forms despite the political understanding reached among stakeholders.

According to him, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had intervened several times to restore peace in the state and prevailed on lawmakers not to proceed with impeachment moves against the governor.