Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has slammed critics of the recent renaming of the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC) after President Bola Tinubu, declaring that he has “no regrets” over the decision.
Speaking on Friday at the commissioning of the newly completed 15-kilometre left-hand service carriageway of the Outer Southern Expressway (OSEX) Stage II, from Ring Road I to Wassa Junction, Wike accused detractors of misplacing priorities and lacking an understanding of national honour.
The renaming of the iconic ICC, following its N39 billion rehabilitation, sparked public outrage earlier this week, with many questioning both the rationale for the name change and the cost of the project.
But an unapologetic Wike came out swinging.
“I have done it, and I have no regret at all,” he said. “Some people are asking why name the centre after President Tinubu. What is their problem? Was the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport built by Azikiwe? Was the Moshood Abiola Stadium built by Abiola?”
The minister also took issue with those criticising the cost of the ICC’s facelift, calling their arguments ignorant of economic realities.
“They say it was built with N240 million in 1991. What was the exchange rate then? How can you compare 1991 with 2025? Let them do the maths,” he said.
Wike argued that the scope of work justified the expenditure, revealing that “everything in that centre was changed, except the structural skeleton.”
He accused critics of peddling “baseless narratives” instead of recognising the administration’s efforts to reposition Abuja as a reflection of national pride.
“People should stop this bad habit of pulling down every good thing done in this country. Nobody who loves Nigeria will criticise the rehabilitation of the ICC,” Wike declared.
He praised President Tinubu for his “bold vision” and insisted that such projects were in line with Nigeria’s status as the so-called ‘giant of Africa’.
“We deserve the best for this country, and Mr President has given us the best,” Wike said.
The FCT Minister’s remarks come amid rising scrutiny of infrastructure spending under the Tinubu administration, with observers increasingly questioning whether prestige projects are taking precedence over urgent social needs.
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