Put Politics Aside and Support Tinubu, Ortom Tells Nigerians as He Lauds Wike’s Abuja Transformation

Former Benue State Governor, Chief Samuel Ioraernyi Ortom, has called on Nigerians to rise above political affiliations and unite in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, particularly praising the transformation of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) under Minister Nyesom Wike.

Speaking during a tour of ongoing infrastructural projects in Abuja, Ortom urged citizens to prioritize national development over party lines. “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,” he stated.

Ortom, a seasoned politician who served as a Minister under former President Goodluck Jonathan and has been active in politics since 1982, expressed awe at the scale of development currently reshaping Abuja.

“I’ve seen several Ministers of the FCT, but this is the first time I am witnessing monumental development in Abuja,” Ortom declared. “I am very proud of what my friend and colleague, Nyesom Wike, is doing.”

He praised President Tinubu for appointing Wike, a leading figure from the opposition, as FCT Minister — describing the decision as a bold move prioritizing 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 said.

During the tour, Ortom admired the significant infrastructural upgrades, including major road expansions, modern bus terminals, and the newly introduced painted taxi system designed to streamline the city’s transportation network.

“I’ve seen Kugbo and Mabushi terminals — these are facilities we usually see abroad,” he said. “To now see them in our own capital is something to celebrate.”

Despite having lived in Abuja since 2008, Ortom admitted the rapid development under Wike had altered the city’s landscape so much that he now needed a guide to navigate.

“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,” he concluded

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