I will stop Ireti in 2027, Wike boasts

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Nyesom Wike, boasted on Monday that he will stop the Senator representing the territory, Ireti, from being re-elected in 2027.

Expressing displeasure with Ireti’s criticisms of his administration in the FCT, Wike asked her to commit suicide if she is not happy with the progress being made in the territory.

Ireti, who has sustained her criticisms against Wike, stated on Monday, during a television programme, that she can never be friendly with Wike.

During the official flag-off ceremony of the construction of Mabushi Bus Terminal, performed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, the minister noted that he was prepared to fight and ensure that the Senator does not return to the National Assembly.

He said, “You said there are no hospitals. You, as a legislator, what have you done? How many bills have you sponsored for us to improve our education and health sector?

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“I challenge that legislator. If you are very popular, in 2027, come and run under Abuja, we will fail you. Do you think that what happened last time will happen again? It will not happen again. Luckily for me, I am the FCT minister now. So, that is my territory, and I’m not afraid.

“We are not begging for anybody to become our friend. We have so many friends that we cannot even carry along. So how can we go and beg people to become our friends? We are not interested in that.”

On the bus terminal projects his administration is embarking on, he said that Abuja deserves a standard transportation system befitting the nation’s capital.

Wike said, “This is supposed to be one of the best cities in the world. This is supposed to be a first-class city but how can it be one of the best cities in the world when the infrastructures that make that kind of city are not available? It will be difficult.

“A city like Abuja does not have a bus and taxi terminal. You will see taxis all over the place and that, of course, is part of our insecurity problems. So many people talk about one chance, why won’t there be one chance when you don’t even know the man whose bus or taxi you are entering?”

In his remark, the Speaker applauded the minister for his commitment towards the development of Abuja.

Abbas, however, advised the minister to adopt a technological approach in his development policies, as Abuja needs to be built into a smart city.