….flags off N1 Arterial Road in Abuja
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on Thursday rebuked critics of President Bola Tinubu, cautioning that those making unguarded remarks against the President should consider themselves fortunate to have a leader who respects the rule of law.
Wike, who spoke at the flag-off of the Arterial Road N1 project connecting Wuye District to Ring Road II in Abuja, decried what he described as a growing culture of “abusing the President with impunity” on social media.
“This is a country where somebody on social media will say Mr President is a criminal; nothing will happen. You are lucky you have a President that believes in the rule of law. Continue to be lucky. There are those you will meet that you won’t be lucky again,” he warned.
On the planned protest by resident doctors over unpaid allowances and poor health infrastructure, Wike stressed that while demonstrations are permitted, government would not succumb to blackmail.
“The SSS called me that people said they will demonstrate, that we are paying attention to roads and not health. Demonstration is allowed everywhere, but nobody will blackmail me or stop me from doing what I think is right,” he said.
The minister disclosed that ₦25 billion has been earmarked for capital health projects in the 2025 budget, assuring that issues concerning doctors’ employment and allowances would be resolved through due process.
“If the Permanent Secretary, Treasury, brings the bill now, they will be paid. But everything must follow due process,” he added.
Wike maintained that the ongoing road projects were designed to boost economic growth and improve residents’ welfare, not to serve personal or political interests.
“No one can stop me from holding this occasion today, not one,” he declared.
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