President Bola Tinubu has extended a public invitation to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to join the ruling political party — All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the commissioning of the newly constructed Shehu Shagari Way and other road projects in Abuja’s Katampe district on Wednesday, Tinubu said, “He (Wike) is not a member of my party — not yet. But the day he changes his mind and joins the progressives, we’ll welcome him with open arms.”
The president lauded the project as a significant milestone in his administration’s urban renewal agenda, calling it a symbol of his government’s broader reform strategy.
Highlighting the road’s strategic role, Tinubu described the corridor as “critical infrastructure” long overdue for development. “This project represents more than a stretch of asphalt,” he said. “Since assuming office on May 29, 2023, this administration has been guided by a philosophy anchored on reform and regeneration. Today, we have seen tangible proof of that philosophy in action.”
He noted that the Shehu Shagari Way was once a neglected part of the Abuja master plan but has now been transformed into a “modern, functional and durable” link that will reduce congestion in the city centre and enhance access to growing districts like Katampe, Jahi and Mabushi.
According to Tinubu, improved connectivity will boost both housing and commercial development in the area. “Infrastructure is not logic. It is a necessity. It is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration and economic opportunity,” he stated.
The president stressed that Nigeria’s growth is tied to robust physical infrastructure, adding: “There’s no way industrialisation will flourish without good roads. We are investing in roads, rail, power, health care, education and digital infrastructure.”
He affirmed that his administration remains focused on integrated national development. “It is only through this coordinated and integrated development that we can unlock Nigeria’s full potential. I promise you, we will,” he vowed.
Meanwhile, FCT Minister Wike, in his remarks, took a swipe at opposition leaders plotting a political alliance ahead of the 2027 elections. He declared that any such coalition would fail.
There have been growing reports of high-level talks among opposition heavyweights, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s Peter Obi, ex-Rivers governor Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna governor Nasir el-Rufai, to mount a united front against Tinubu’s APC in 2027.
