FCT Minister Wike In Uncouth Speech Defends ICC Renaming After Tinubu: “If You Want To Die, I Have Land To Bury You”
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has strongly defended the controversial ₦39 billion renovation of the International Conference Centre (ICC) in Abuja, dismissing public outrage as lacking “good taste.”
Speaking at the commissioning of a carriageway project in Abuja on Friday, Wike insisted the overhaul was necessary to position Nigeria as a modern global player, stating that “everything in that Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre was changed—except the block structure.” He challenged critics to consider inflation, saying comparisons to the original ₦240 million construction cost in 1991 ignored the current exchange rate and economic realities.
Wike also justified renaming the ICC after President Bola Tinubu, noting similar precedents: “Nnamdi Azikiwe didn’t build the airport named after him. Abiola didn’t build the stadium. What matters is national recognition.”
But his remarks came under fire from renowned human rights lawyer Professor Chidi Odinkalu, who launched a blistering critique of Wike’s stewardship of Abuja on a June 11 appearance on PreciousEnyiTV.
Odinkalu described the ICC renovation as “fiscally irresponsible,” questioning how a building could consume ₦39 billion in upgrades while essential services like health remain in disrepair. “If you believe ₦39bn is needed for that building, you need your head examined,” he said.
He also accused Wike of using inflated contracts to enrich political allies, singling out Senator Duda Bja, whose luxury home renovation in Jabi he linked to public funds. “Go to Ebitu Ukiwe Street. That fence isn’t just high—it’s high with your money,” he charged.
Citing Nigeria’s worsening economic hardship, Odinkalu condemned what he called “misplaced priorities,” highlighting that “patients are sleeping on the floor at FMC Abuja, while politicians plaster the city with billboards of themselves from 10 years ago.”
He didn’t stop there. The fiery former NHRC Chairman mocked Wike’s fondness for constant media appearances and accused him of importing his “governance-by-flyovers” model from Rivers State to the FCT as a possible political buildup for 2027.
Odinkalu also took aim at INEC, branding the commission’s leadership “bandits” and alleging electoral rigging is rendering citizens’ votes useless.
On the economy, he dismissed government data that claims poverty is declining. “Go to the market. Yam, tomatoes, crayfish—people can’t afford them. What 38% to 50% poverty drop? That’s statistical nonsense,” he said.
Despite his criticisms, Odinkalu stopped short of advocating civil unrest, instead urging Nigerians to unify through their shared suffering and hold leaders accountable.
