A Chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) Hon. Chief Modestus Umenzekwe (Onwa Achina) has commended the former Governor of Rivers State and Honourable Minister of the Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, as a patriot and nation builder.
Umenzekwe also described Wike as man who believes in agreement and goes to any length to keep it.
The man who was listed among 100 most influential persons in Anambra State, spoke to Journalists in his office in Lagos on Thursday, March 11, 2026, while acknowledging the immense contributions of the FCT Minister in the development of Rivers State and Abuja.
He said, “There are people that can be described as patriotic Nigerians no matter how some people see and talk about them, they remain steadfast and remain patriotic, one of them is the former Governor of Rivers State and now FCT Minister, His Excellency Nyesom Wike.
“However, let me make it clear to the public, I have never met Wike one on one, I haven’t discussed with him and he doesn’t even know me, I know him because he is in the public domain. I know Wike as an unrepentant member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), and we are not in the same party.
One thing is clear, I am in politics and I research a lot, I watch news, I read papers, I investigate and probe a lot. I give honour to whom honour is due as a way of encouragement for the person to do more. One thing I can say about Wike is that, no matter how people see him, the other day we were discussing about nation building I made it clear to those people that whether we like it or not, there is one man I admire his courage, some people see him as being very controversial but when you take time and listen to him, you will know where he is going. What I have observed about Wike is that he is a man that keeps his words. When you have an agreement with him, don’t go to break it without discussing it with him. If you have an agreement with him and implementation of that agreement is becoming difficult to you, call him and say, the Excellency, we agreed on this but this is the problem I have. How do we do it? But if you neglect this and go the other way round, he will fight you and will stop at nothing and that is where I believe former Governor Fayose who warned or I have heard him say several times that Wike cannot get tired of fighting for what he believes in. And that something he believes in is when somebody breaks an agreement and takes him for granted; he will fight and stop at nothing which means he is a man of principle, which means he is a man of his words, he can say so many things out of anger but he doesn’t make mistake in keeping agreement. And that is one problem I observed he has with the PDP, and today from the look of things he is winning, in as much as ego is playing out on the other side, but he is winning,” Umenzekwe stated.
He added that Wike is such a man who is not afraid of peace or war. “Then he is such a person that tells you he is coming for war or for peace and at the appointed time you will see him there, he is not interested if you will win him or not, whether that peace or accord will go on but that appointed time you will see him. I have somebody like that in my town, Achina, in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, a very good friend of mine, people see him as controversial, but he is not controversial, it is when you break agreement he will come up, but he will stop at nothing, that is Wike for you. And on that note I will say that Wike is one of the Nigerians that are out for nation building, one of the Nigerians that are determined to make sure that the Renewed Hope Agenda policy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is not dented or truncated by any means, and he has taken steps to ensure things are actualised irrespective of his party inclination.”
Going memory lane Umenzekwe said that Wike did wonders in Rivers State as a governor which earned him the tag, Mr Project. “When you go back to Rivers State and look at what he did there, he did wonders in Rivers State, and that is why he is called Mr Project. The commissioning pattern of projects we have today was introduced by Wike, and I learnt he doesn’t owe contractors. And when you quote a job, he will tell you no room for variations, check very well, once he confirms, you can’t go back, and people see him as someone who is very very controversial. Again he is somebody who appreciates friends, someone who recognises those who made him, that will be an interview for another day. When you see what he did in Rivers State for those people he considered instrumental for his ascendency to power, you will know that Wike is an exceptional human being and for that I congratulate him.”
Umenzekwe further stated that Wike has not only transformed the Federal Capital Territory, he has helped to actualise the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration. “Then when you go to Abuja, I was in Abuja and I didn’t know Abuja again. I am telling you I didn’t know Abuja again, a lot of villages have been opened up. So many Infrastructural development , it is a litany of achievements
“Since Nyesom Wike was appointed as FCT Minister in August 2023 he has embarked on rapid infrastructural development and urban renewal in Abuja. He saw to the completion of major road projects (e.g., Southern Parkway, OSEX), the revitalisation of the Abuja Metro Rail, enhanced and improved security through workable strategies and the provision of over 100 vehicles to security agencies. He enhanced the enforcement of land administration regulations. He has prioritized the construction of 120 km of roads across area councils, improvements to the International Conference Centre, and new bus terminals in satellite towns.
“He Completed and commissioned significant projects like the Wuye Flyover Link Bridge, and major road networks (N16-N20) connecting key districts like Maitama and Katampe. He initiated the construction of modern bus terminals in Bwari and Gwagwalada to improve commuter safety and reduce “one chance” incidents.
“On Land and Revenue Administration, there is now strict enforcement of ground rent payments, leading to the revocation of titles for abandoned properties and increased Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). He also approved the employment of resident doctors to boost healthcare services in FCTA
“His other Key achievements also include resurfacing of 135+ roads in Wuse, Garki, Gwarimpa, and Maitama, Inner Southern Expressway, B6/B12 roads, and the 18km Nyanya-Karu-Orozo road.
“Wike administration of FCT boosted IGR by enabling the FCT to exit the Treasury Single Account, funding projects via the 10% IGR allocation, and in Policy Reform he has reduced Certificate of Occupancy fees to encourage land title registration. In Social and Economic Development, he has ensured rehabilitation of several public schools to create better learning environments, inaugurated the 2,500-unit Karmo Market to boost local commerce. He Upgraded Traditional Institutions, the stool of the Etsu of Kwali was upgraded to First Class,” Umenzekwe disclosed.
The Political icon, however appealed to the Minister to reduce his level of anger when he feels offended. “I want to appeal to him, to please reduce the level of anger and it is because of the way he feels when people betray him, let him tone down the level of anger, Nigerians know that he is there. We know that he is working. The works he has done are a good testimony to his desire to place Nigeria on a high echelon.”
He added that no matter the level of criticisms especially as to his membership of the People’s Democratic Party, Wike remains an icon and a patriot. “Wike made it clear that he is a member of PDP, but the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria gave him an assignment which is a confirmation of what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu said, that he is going to form a unity Government where everybody is included irrespective of party, a government of inclusivity, that is his mantra. Are you telling me that because he is in PDP or APGA or whatever, if the president calls you now and send you on an assignment, you won’t go? Then what are you talking about? So President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sent him on a mission and that is what he is doing. So I don’t see anything bad in it, in as much as we also call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to please as a matter of importance, as he is doing Government of Inclusivity, to also recognise faithful members of APC, unrepentant members of APC and who are his unrepentant followers in every state of the federation,” Umenzekwe appealed.
