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Wike Criticises David Mark, Defends Tinubu’s Road Record

Published

4 months ago

June 25, 2026

FCT Minister says President Bola Tinubu’s administration has delivered more infrastructure projects in three years than previous leaders achieved over longer periods

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has criticised former Senate President David Mark over his record on infrastructure development, arguing that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has delivered significantly more road projects within three years than were achieved during Mark’s years in national leadership.

Also read: Wike Urges Youths to Embrace Selfless Leadership

Wike made the remarks on Thursday during the commissioning of the Interchange at the Arterial Road N16–Ring Road II Junction linking the Jahi and Gwarimpa districts of Abuja.

The event was attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who represented President Tinubu at the ceremony.

The minister’s comments came against the backdrop of recent criticisms of the Federal Government by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a party with which David Mark has recently been associated.

Despite the criticism, Wike noted that the ADC had acknowledged the Tinubu administration’s achievements in road infrastructure.

“African Democratic Congress has conceded that in terms of road infrastructure, Mr President has done very, very well. Without roads, you cannot go to hospital, you cannot go to school, and you cannot go to farm. Roads are the bedrock of development in any society,” Wike said.

Turning directly to Mark, whom he identified as chairman of a faction of the ADC, the minister questioned the former Senate President’s contribution to infrastructure development, particularly during his eight years as head of the upper legislative chamber.

Wike cited the long-standing challenges surrounding the Akwanga-Makurdi road, arguing that the route remained in poor condition despite being awarded during Mark’s period of influence in government.

“The poor people could not afford to travel to Makurdi because there was no road. But David Mark, as Senate President then, was flying helicopters.

“Today, because of the intervention of this administration, people can drive freely to Makurdi and Otukpo. The same David Mark, who once relied on helicopters, can now travel by road too,” he said.

The minister used the occasion to defend the Tinubu administration’s approach to governance, particularly its policy of completing projects initiated by previous governments rather than abandoning them.

According to Wike, continuity in governance remains critical to sustainable development and efficient use of public resources.

“One of the problems of development in Nigeria is that new administrations often abandon projects initiated by their predecessors. But President Tinubu has shown that the government is a continuum. What matters is completing projects for the benefit of the people, regardless of who awarded them,” he stated.

As an example, Wike explained that the Jahi-Gwarimpa interchange project had been awarded before the current administration took office but had not received mobilisation funds or recorded meaningful progress until the present government intervened.

He said many residents had doubted the project would ever be completed, making its delivery a significant achievement for the Federal Capital Territory Administration.

As a secondary highlight, the minister rejected claims that the administration’s development strategy focuses exclusively on road construction.

He pointed to ongoing investments in water infrastructure across satellite towns in the FCT as evidence of a broader development agenda.

Wike recalled the recent commissioning of a water supply project in Karu and announced that another major water infrastructure project in Bwari would be inaugurated on July 14.

“It is not correct to say we are only doing roads. In Karu, we commissioned water supply infrastructure, and by July 14 we will commission another major water project in Bwari. These are projects designed to improve the lives of ordinary people,” he said.

The minister challenged critics to identify comparable investments in satellite communities under previous administrations, insisting that the Renewed Hope Agenda is producing visible and measurable improvements across the territory.

Since assuming office in August 2023, Wike has overseen an ambitious infrastructure programme across the Federal Capital Territory, including road construction, rehabilitation projects, water supply schemes and urban renewal initiatives aimed at improving connectivity and quality of life for residents.

Also read: Wike Says Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Path Is Clear

The latest commissioning adds to a growing list of completed projects as the administration seeks to accelerate development and expand access to critical infrastructure throughout Abuja and its surrounding communities.

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sports

Maresca Says Man City Unity Grows Amid Financial Case

Published

2 days ago

October 16, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Maresca says Man City unity grows amid the club’s financial case as the manager focuses on results ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Ipswich.

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has said the club’s players, supporters and leadership have become more united amid the Premier League financial case, speaking at a pre-match press conference in Manchester on Friday, 16 October 2026, ahead of Saturday’s league meeting with Ipswich Town.

Also read: NPFL Suspends Fan Over Alleged Threats to Away Teams

Maresca said he was not personally troubled by the controversy, arguing that the team had little control over the proceedings and should concentrate on performances on the pitch.

“Since the noise, from my personal point of view, I can see the fans, the club, the team more together, for sure,” Maresca said.

His comments come as City continue their Premier League campaign under the scrutiny of a significant disciplinary case.

An independent commission found the club guilty of multiple breaches of the league’s financial regulations, following allegations concerning its financial reporting and commercial arrangements between 2009 and 2018.

Manchester City have rejected the findings and appealed the decision, maintaining that they have evidence to challenge the ruling. The appeal means the dispute remains unresolved, with the eventual outcome potentially carrying significant consequences for the club.

For now, Maresca has sought to keep the focus on football, presenting the team’s response to the controversy as a matter of discipline and collective responsibility rather than public argument.

“There is noise around the club but we need to try to make our noise,” he said. “That means win at Anfield, try to win tomorrow against Ipswich. This is the way we can make our noise. A different kind of noise; we’re not able to control that.”

City’s recent results have offered both encouragement and a reminder of the demands of competing across several fronts.

The club recorded a 3-0 Premier League victory over Liverpool at Anfield before suffering a 4-2 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Maresca described the European loss as a learning opportunity, saying City had struggled to maintain their balance after conceding twice in quick succession.

He nevertheless pointed to the response after half-time as evidence that the players could recover from difficult spells.

The defeat has added importance to Saturday’s meeting with Ipswich, as City look to maintain their domestic momentum while managing the demands of a busy schedule.

Asked how he was coping with the attention surrounding the financial proceedings, Maresca was direct.

“I’m very happy. I don’t feel any kind of stress about the outside situation because it’s something I don’t control. I just focus on how we can try to win the next games,” he said.

The manager also indicated that he trusted the club’s leadership and had discussed the case with officials. However, he preferred to wait for the legal process to reach an outcome before drawing conclusions about the matter.

The independent commission’s findings have intensified scrutiny of City’s financial conduct, with the case involving alleged breaches over a nine-season period.

The commission found the club guilty of 114 of the 115 charges relating to financial misconduct and associated failures to comply with the Premier League’s investigation, according to reports on the ruling.

City have appealed and continue to contest the findings. The distinction between the commission’s conclusions and the club’s position remains central to the ongoing dispute.

The case has also renewed debate about financial regulation in English football, including the effectiveness of oversight and the consequences clubs may face when they breach competition rules.

Any eventual sanctions will depend on the relevant proceedings and their outcome.

Against that background, Maresca’s emphasis on unity reflects the club’s immediate priority of sustaining results while the case progresses.

His comments do not resolve the questions raised by the commission, but they indicate how he intends to manage the situation within the dressing room.

Saturday’s fixture presents a further test. Ipswich have had a full week to prepare, while City return to domestic action after their midweek European commitment.

Maresca acknowledged that the difference in preparation time could make the contest demanding.

A victory would give City the opportunity to extend their Premier League winning run to seven matches, reinforcing their position near the top of the table.

The manager’s challenge is to ensure that the off-field controversy does not distract from the consistency required over a long season.

For supporters, the coming weeks will bring two parallel developments: City’s pursuit of domestic and European success, and the progress of the financial appeal.

The club’s results may shape the mood around the team, but the disciplinary proceedings will ultimately be determined by the relevant legal and regulatory process.

Maresca’s message was that City should concentrate on the part of the situation they can influence.

Also read: NPFL Suspends Fan Over Alleged Threats to Away Teams

With Ipswich next on the schedule, the immediate measure of that approach will be the team’s performance on the pitch, while the broader questions surrounding the club’s financial conduct remain outstanding.