Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has called on Nigerians to set aside political differences and rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration, especially in light of the remarkable infrastructural strides being made in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under Minister Nyesom Wike.
Speaking during a tour of ongoing development projects in Abuja with Wike, Ortom praised the rapid transformation of the capital city, saying it reflects a level of progress he had never witnessed before.
“President Tinubu cannot rebuild Nigeria alone. We must all come together, regardless of party affiliations, and support efforts that are clearly in the national interest,” Ortom said.
Having been involved in politics since 1982 and served as a federal minister under President Goodluck Jonathan, Ortom said he was deeply impressed by the scale and quality of development unfolding in the FCT.
“I’ve seen several FCT Ministers, but this is the first time I’m seeing monumental change in Abuja,” he stated. “I’m proud of what my friend and colleague Nyesom Wike is accomplishing.”
He commended President Tinubu for setting aside partisanship by appointing Wike—an influential figure in the opposition—as FCT Minister, a move he described as a bold demonstration of inclusive leadership.
“If President Tinubu was strictly partisan, he wouldn’t have picked Wike. But he chose competence over politics, and that’s real leadership,” Ortom said.
Highlighting projects such as the modern bus terminals in Kugbo and Mabushi, major roadworks, and the city’s newly introduced painted taxi system, Ortom described the changes as the kind typically seen in developed countries.
“These terminals are the kind of infrastructure we only used to see abroad. Seeing them here in Abuja is worth celebrating,” he added.
Ortom, who has lived in Abuja since 2008, admitted that the pace of development has dramatically altered the city’s landscape.
“With what I’ve seen today, I need a guide to move around. That’s how much Abuja has changed within just one year,” he remarked.
