President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday said the All Progressives Congress (APC) is ready to receive the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, whenever he chooses to join the party.

The President made the statement during the commissioning of the Arterial Road N16 (Shehu Shagari Way), which connects Ring Road 1 (Nnamdi Azikiwe Way) to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way), along with feeder roads and interchanges in the Maitama District of Abuja.

The project was executed by the Wike-led FCT Administration.

Commending Wike’s leadership and collaborative style, Tinubu said Wike could not have achieved the feat alone without the full cooperation of others, adding, “You have proved that teamwork is the hallmark of good leadership.”

The President also praised local communities and traditional rulers for their cooperation in the smooth relocation of residents affected by the development.

“I commend the Minister for relocating the local communities affected by the development, with peace and good compensation. The government has played its part. I urge you to protect this infrastructure and use it wisely,” he said.

Addressing Wike’s political affiliation with a touch of humour, Tinubu told the crowd, “He’s not a member of my party, not yet. But the day he changes his mind and registers with the Progressives, we will welcome him because we will enjoy him singing as ‘e dey sweet us’.”

Describing the road as more than a stretch of asphalt, the President said, “It affirms our commitment to transformation under our Renewed Hope Agenda. What was once a missing link is now a modern, functional, and durable infrastructure, an artery fully realised through the leadership of the FCT Administration under the Honourable Minister, Barrister Wike.”

He noted that the area had long been underdeveloped despite its inclusion in the Abuja Master Plan.

“This road will ease traffic congestion around Central Abuja and improve connectivity to developing districts such as Katampe, Jahi, and Bwari. It will stimulate housing and business growth while serving as a foundation for future city integration,” he said.

On Nigeria’s broader development goals, Tinubu stressed the importance of infrastructure, stating, “Infrastructure is the bedrock of national competitiveness, growth, social integration, and economic opportunity. There is no way industrialisation will flourish without good roads. We invest in roads, rail, power, healthcare, education, and digital infrastructure. We can only unlock Nigeria’s full potential through this coordinated and integrated development. I promise you, we will.”

He assured Nigerians that his administration would remain focused despite political distractions.

“We will continue to build and serve the people, no matter how much the lesser minds pursue their politics,” he said.

In his remarks, Wike praised the President for restoring public trust in government and boosting contractor confidence, which he said had led to the swift execution of major projects in the FCT.

“This road was awarded by the administration. It is not one of those projects we inherited,” he said, noting that the Federal Executive Council approved the project in September 2023, and it was flagged off in October.

He admitted to initially being sceptical of the contractor, CGC Nigeria Limited, until he saw their performance on another project.

“Companies and contractors are competing among themselves to have jobs awarded to them, and they are ready to mobilise to the site without the government paying them for the initial mobilisation. That is confidence-building, and that’s what you’ve created,” he told the President.

Wike also commended the administration for ensuring that no contract under the FCT was left abandoned.

“No contract that you have awarded under the city was abandoned. By the time you do your third anniversary next year, you will see that virtually all the contracts you awarded under you as the President will have finished, to the glory of God,” he said.

Speaking on the strategic value of the road, the minister explained that it connects judicial and administrative zones of Abuja.

“It leads to the judges’ quarters, the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court, and the Federal Capital Territory, and the judges’ court is almost ready,” he added.

Wike also claimed that President Tinubu’s visible achievements had neutralised opposition campaigns.

“Your good works have defeated the coalition. I have instructed my people to ensure that every national television station must hook into the inauguration of projects. They will see what is happening on national television every day on every television channel. They have no choice but to watch Mr. President for the next 17 days,” he said.

Providing the technical overview, Acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), Engr. Richard Yunana Dauda, said the 3.7-kilometre Arterial Road N16 begins at Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (Ring Road One) near Transcorp Hilton and extends to Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way).

“The corridor integrates Maitama, Katampe, Utako, Jahi, and surrounding districts, providing critical linkages for residents and commercial users,” he said.

He added, “The scope of work includes the construction of an interchange with two bridges, a flyover with interconnecting loops that link Ring Road One, and a flyover over the Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway. The Arterial N16 is a six-lane dual carriageway with covered parking lanes, effectively making it an eight-lane road.”

Dauda said the road was delivered with complete engineering infrastructure, including drainage systems, culverts, water supply, sewer systems, telecommunications ducts and street lighting.

“The work has been practically completed and is ready to be used. The completion of this project has provided the much-needed circulation and connection within the city, especially linking the 21 districts of Maitama, Utako, Jahi, and others,” he added.