Prominent human rights attorney and activist, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has issued a sharp condemnation of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, accusing him of mismanaging infrastructure initiatives in Abuja for the benefit of political allies.
In an interview on June 11, 2025, Odinkalu claimed that Wike is embarking on the destruction of functional roads in affluent neighborhoods such as Maitama and Wuse, only to re-award contracts for their restoration at inflated prices to his associates, including Senator Phillip Aduda
“Visit Senator Aduda’s residence on Ebitu Ukiwe Street in Jabi—he has renovated his home, repainted it, and raised the fence like a prison using contract funds,” Odinkalu stated, implying that Aduda’s closeness to Wike ensures a continuous flow of profitable contracts. He contrasted these elite enhancements with the neglect of residential areas where average workers live. “There has been no development in Jabi or in areas where workers reside—nothing has been accomplished,” he remarked.
The activist further criticized Wike’s multi-billion naira initiatives, including the ₦39 billion refurbishment of the International Conference Centre and the ₦21 billion enhancement of the Vice President’s residence, questioning both their necessity and expense. “Any Nigerian who thinks ₦39 billion is required to renovate the Conference Centre should have their judgment assessed,” Odinkalu commented, emphasizing that such funds could be better allocated to essential sectors like education and healthcare.
He pointed to the conditions at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja, where patients are reportedly sleeping on floors due to a shortage of hospital beds, as an illustration of misplaced priorities under Wike’s administration. Odinkalu also mocked the minister’s “excessive press briefings and billboards featuring outdated, overweight images,” labeling them as indicators of “idleness and insecurity unbefitting of a public servant.”
In extending his critique to the administration of President Bola Tinubu, Odinkalu condemned what he referred to as administrative excesses, pointing to the establishment of the Ministry of Blue Economy as an unnecessary duplication of the Ministry of Water Resources. “What’s the difference? Nobody explains, not even the ministers,” he remarked.
The former Governor of Rivers State also faced scrutiny regarding his track record. Odinkalu characterized Wike’s flyover projects in Rumuola, Waterlines, and Garrison as “conduit pipes” intended for the diversion of funds, a model he claims is now being mirrored in Abuja with contracts that may be aimed at creating financial reserves for the 2027 elections.
Furthermore, Odinkalu did not hold back in his criticism of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), attributing to it the erosion of the democratic process. “INEC’s bias is undermining our elections,” he asserted, labeling the commission’s leadership as “bandits” who render the votes of Nigerians insignificant.
On the economic front, he criticized the Tinubu administration for exacerbating poverty, stating: “Yam, tomatoes, crayfish—people can’t afford them. They assert that poverty has decreased from 38% to 50%? That’s statistical nonsense. The markets present a different narrative.”
Despite his pointed criticisms, Prof. Odinkalu chose not to instruct citizens on their next actions. “I possess one vote like any Nigerian. It is not my role to dictate to people what they should do,” he stated, while encouraging Nigerians to come together in their shared struggles and demand increased accountability from those in positions of power.
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