Former Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, has urged Nigerians to rise above partisan politics and rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, especially in light of the remarkable infrastructural strides being made in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under the leadership of Barr. Nyesom Wike.
Ortom made the appeal during an inspection tour of ongoing FCT projects alongside the FCT Minister. He called on citizens to unite for the greater good of the country, regardless of political leanings.
“Mr. President alone cannot fix Nigeria. We need to join hands with him, irrespective of party affiliations. Let us put politics aside and support what is good,” Ortom said.
The former governor, who served as a minister during President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration and has been active in politics since 1982, described the scale of development in Abuja under Wike as unprecedented.
“I’ve seen several Ministers of the FCT, but this is the first time I am witnessing monumental development in Abuja,” he stated. “I am very proud of what my friend and colleague, Nyesom Wike, is doing.”
Ortom commended President Tinubu’s bold leadership for appointing Wike—a high-profile opposition figure—as FCT Minister, noting that such a move reflects a commitment to competence over partisanship.
“If Mr. President was a partisan leader, he wouldn’t have appointed Wike, who is from the opposition. But he saw capacity, and that’s leadership,” Ortom noted.
He praised the transformation taking place across the capital, including major road infrastructure, the construction of modern bus terminals, and the introduction of a painted taxi system designed to streamline the city’s transport sector.
“I’ve seen Kugbo and Mabushi terminals—these are facilities we usually see abroad. To now see them in our own capital is something to celebrate,” Ortom added.
Despite being a resident of Abuja since 2008, Ortom admitted that the pace of development in the city over the past year had left him in awe.
“I have lived in Abuja since 2008, but with what I see today, I need a guide to move around. That’s how much the city has changed in just one year.”
Ortom’s comments signal a rare moment of bipartisan praise, reinforcing the need for collective national effort in addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges.
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