Wike Says 2027 Elections Won’t Stall FCT Projects, Hits Back At Atiku Criticism

By Toffa Momoh | Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has assured residents that infrastructure development in the FCT will not slow down due to political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, April 16, 2026, after inspecting the Federal Highway 105 to Kuje town road and the dualization of the Kuje-Gwagwalada road, Wike said the administration remains focused on its mandate and will not be distracted by electoral cycles.

On implementing the 2026 budget during an election period, the Minister said work would continue at full speed. “The contractors—are they part of the elections? No. So, people will work. People must feed. We wouldn’t stop our various works because of elections… Even before we get to January, we must have done virtually over 80 percent of what we intend to do.”

He said progress on the Kuje-Gwagwalada axis is part of a strategy to decongest the city center. Contractors have promised to complete and hand over the ongoing road projects in Kuje by the end of May this year.

On funding, Wike explained that the FCTA is currently implementing the 2025 budget, which was extended to June. The 2026 budget, which includes the second phase of the Kuje-Gwagwalada dualization, awaits National Assembly approval.

Responding to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s criticism that current government policies have not positively impacted Nigerians, Wike dismissed the comments as baseless and an attempt to gain public sympathy.

“Atiku is a serial contester and loser. Let him compare FCT now to when he was Vice President. Can he compare what is in FCT today to what it was then?” Wike said. He added that former President Obasanjo had described the former VP as “a complete failure and even attached corruption to his name.”

Wike also refuted claims by the African Democratic Congress that he blocked their request for a convention venue and threatened to revoke the license of a private event centre. He challenged the party to produce official correspondence or payment receipts to prove government interference.

“I don’t even know where Rainbow [the event centre] is. I have no business with your convention. People just want to have public sympathy,” he stated. “I will be very glad for them to be on the ballot so the stories can be over.”