The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has criticized former Senate President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) Interim National Chairman, David Mark, accusing him of neglecting his hometown, Otukpo, during his eight years in office.
Speaking at his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Wike dismissed Mark’s recent claims that Nigerians are angry with President Bola Tinubu as hypocritical.
Wike said that while Mark now complains about the state of the nation, no visible development — especially no road construction — was carried out in Otukpo while he held office as Senate President.
“I heard David Mark say they want to rescue Nigeria and that Nigerians are angry. But during his eight years as Senate President, were Nigerians happy? Not one road project was delivered in Otukpo, his own community,” Wike said.
He also took aim at former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accusing him of pushing the country into heavy foreign debt without public complaints at the time.
“When Amaechi was minister, Nigerians accepted foreign loans. It is only now that Nigerians are ‘angry’ — conveniently for political gains,” Wike added.
The FCT minister also warned other opposition leaders, including ADC Interim Secretary Rauf Aregbesola, that history would hold them responsible for the nation’s current problems.
Wike urged the opposition to reflect on their records while in power instead of blaming the current administration.
“When you were in power, Nigerians were not angry. The moment you lost power, suddenly Nigerians are angry. What did you do to change the country’s path when you were in charge?” he asked.
