President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday reiterated his administration’s commitment to infrastructural development and democratic consolidation as the newly completed Interchange Bridge of Arterial Road N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) over the Outer Northern Expressway (Murtala Mohammed Expressway) was commissioned in Abuja.

Represented by the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Tinubu described the project as a bold statement of the Renewed Hope Agenda and a visible testament to what purposeful governance can achieve.

“This magnificent piece of engineering is designed to alleviate traffic congestion, enhance safety, and improve the daily lives of residents and commuters.

“Our Renewed Hope Agenda is built on the bedrock of robust infrastructure. This bridge will unlock new opportunities for commerce, reduce travel time, and directly contribute to productivity and quality of life in Abuja,” Tinubu said.

The president, while commending the FCTA and the contractors for delivering the project to high standards and on schedule, took a swipe at the state of opposition politics in the country.

He said, “As a true democrat, President Tinubu wishes to see a vibrant opposition. Sadly, the opposition in Nigeria today is in disarray.

“It is not just the PDP; even the Labour Party is fractured. People who cannot manage small political parties are angling to run Nigeria.

“We welcome into our fold Senator Nneda Emaswen, who this afternoon defected from the Labour Party to the APC. Our doors are open.”

He also acknowledged the support of the National Assembly in Abuja’s transformation, while citing collaborative governance as key to the administration’s delivery of people-oriented projects.

In his remarks, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike praised Tinubu’s leadership for prioritising projects that impact the economy and daily life of residents.

He disclosed that the bridge, originally awarded in 2020, was completed following the President’s directive that all legacy projects should be prioritised and delivered.

“Mr President has shown the right leadership. There is no magic here — just commitment. That is why we are seeing these results today. The FCT is changing before our eyes,” Wike said.

The Minister also commented on recent political developments, and criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)leadership crisis and called for adherence to law and order.

“Leadership is key in any organisation. When you shoot yourself in the foot, don’t blame others,” Wike warned, as he condemned what he termed “ignorance of the law” among some PDP leaders.

The commissioning ceremony which is the 10th day of project commissioning in Abuja, with six more days to go, is part of a series of projects being unveiled in the FCT.

He commended Gilmor Engineering for its capacity and commitment, saying, “This is the fifth project by Gilmor that we have commissioned within a year. They have shown capacity and reliability, and we trust them.”

The interchange is expected to decongest traffic, enhance road safety, and stimulate economic activities in Abuja.