FCT minister says he will quit if anyone disproves his claim that 317 kilometres of roads have been awarded and 221 kilometres completed in Abuja’s satellite towns.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has thrown down a bold challenge to critics of his administration’s infrastructure record, declaring that he will resign if anyone can prove within 48 hours that his claims on road construction in Abuja’s satellite towns are false.

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Wike made the declaration on Friday during the inauguration of the reconstructed Arab/Gbazango Road in Kubwa, where he outlined what he described as the achievements of the Federal Capital Territory Administration under President Bola Tinubu since the administration assumed office in May 2023.

Speaking before government officials, community leaders and residents, the minister said the Wike FCT Road Projects programme had significantly expanded road infrastructure beyond Abuja’s city centre, arguing that satellite communities were now witnessing unprecedented development.

“As I speak to you, since the assumption of office by Mr President, roads covering 317 kilometres have been awarded in the satellite towns. Out of that 317 kilometres, we have completed 221 kilometres, while 96 kilometres are ongoing,” Wike said.

He emphasised that the figures related solely to projects in satellite towns and excluded road construction undertaken within other parts of the Federal Capital Territory.

“This is only for the satellite towns, not the FCT as a whole. For the satellite towns, 317 kilometres awarded, 221 kilometres completed and 96 kilometres ongoing,” he added.

The minister also assured residents that two major road projects, the Apo-Karshi Road and the Bwari-Kubwa Road, would be completed before the end of 2026.

“Let me assure you, Mr President, the road from Apo to Karshi will be completed before the end of this year. The road from Bwari to Kubwa will be completed before the end of this year,” he said.

According to Wike, the pace of construction demonstrates that communities outside Abuja’s central districts are benefiting from the Federal Government’s infrastructure drive.

“How will satellite town people say they have not benefited from government? They have felt the impact of governance. It has never happened in the history of the administration of this country,” he stated.

In one of the most striking moments of the event, the former Rivers State governor challenged anyone disputing the figures to publicly contradict him, insisting that the records were available for verification.

“If there’s anybody who has a contrary view, let him come out and challenge us that all this you are saying is not correct. I will resign as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,” he declared.

Repeating the challenge for emphasis, Wike said:

“Maybe you didn’t hear me well. Let me say it again so you hear it well.

“If there’s anybody, I don’t know of any association you may belong to.

I don’t know of any group you may belong to. But if you know you have a contrary view to what I have said, I challenge you in the next 48 hours to come on national television and say that since this administration came, we have not awarded roads of 317 kilometres in the satellite towns and we have not completed 221 kilometres.

“I will resign as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.”

Wike attributed the rapid pace of infrastructure delivery to the support of President Tinubu and the cooperation between the FCT Administration and the National Assembly.

“One is happy, first of all, to commend you for the support you have given to us, and to commend the National Assembly for the support and relationship we have enjoyed with them,” he said.

Since taking office as FCT minister in August 2023, Wike has prioritised road construction, rehabilitation of public facilities and urban renewal projects across Abuja.

His administration has consistently argued that extending infrastructure to satellite towns is essential to reducing pressure on the city centre and improving economic opportunities for residents in outlying communities.

Closing his remarks, the minister reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to sustaining the momentum of development across the territory.

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“On your mandate, we shall stand,” Wike said.