‘Abuja changed in one year’: Ortom lauds Wike’s performance as minister

Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has commended the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over various projects executed in Abuja.

Ortom expressed admiration for the transformation taking place across Abuja, including major roadworks, the construction of world-class bus terminals, and the introduction of a painted taxi system aimed at reorganising the city’s transport sector.

Ortom, who served as a minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan, said he has never seen the level of infrastructural development currently taking place in the FCT under Wike’s leadership.

The former governor stated this during an inspection tour of ongoing projects in Abuja alongside Wike on Friday, May 30, 2025.

He said: “I’ve seen several Ministers of the FCT, but this is the first time I am witnessing monumental development in Abuja.

“I am very proud of what my friend and colleague, Nyesom Wike, is doing.”

Ortom stated that despite being a long-time resident of the FCT, the speed and scale of developments under Wike had left him needing a guide to navigate the city.

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“I have lived in Abuja since 2008, but with what I see today, I need a guide to move around. That’s how much the city has changed in just one year,” the former governor added.

Ortom also commended President Bola Tinubu for putting national interest above politics by appointing Wike, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to head the FCT Ministry.

“If Mr. President was a partisan leader, he wouldn’t have appointed Wike, who is from the opposition. But he saw capacity, and that’s leadership,” he noted.

The former governor, therefore, urged Nigerians to set aside political affiliations and support Tinubu’s administration in its efforts to transform the country, particularly through the work being done in Abuja by Wike.

“Mr. President alone cannot fix Nigeria. We need to join hands with him, irrespective of party affiliations. Let us put politics aside and support what is good,” Ortom stated.

The Star