Blaming Wike for FCT Floods is like Israelites Blaming Moses for Leading Them to Promised Land — Reps Philip Agbese

Philip Agbese, the Deputy Spokesman of the House of Representatives, has faulted attempts to blame Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), for the recent flooding in Abuja, saying residents must also take responsibility for activities that worsen flooding.

Addressing journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, Agbese said the criticism was unfair given the scale of infrastructure projects being undertaken across the territory under Wike, urging residents to recognise the government’s efforts while supporting measures to make the FCT cleaner and more resilient.

“Blaming Wike for the flood in the FCT is like the Israelites blaming Moses for helping them to the Promised Land. At some point, we must appreciate transformative leadership and understand that government cannot solve every problem without the cooperation of the people,” Agbese said.

The Labour Party lawmaker said Wike had, since assuming office, pursued projects aimed at improving roads, transportation, drainage and other critical infrastructure across Abuja and its satellite towns.

The lawmaker said Wike had demonstrated a commitment to expanding infrastructure beyond Abuja’s city centre, pointing to the construction and rehabilitation of major roads, bridges and other public facilities across the territory.

He stressed that the FCT Administration has completed 221 kilometres of roads out of 317 kilometres awarded in satellite towns since the Tinubu administration came into office, with projects also ongoing in several communities.

The legislator emphasised that the FCT Administration has also completed and inaugurated major projects in the city, including the Gwarinpa-Jahi Interchange, Airport-Kuje Road, Kuje-Gwagwalada Road and sections of the Outer Southern Expressway.

He described Wike as “a prophet who is not honoured at home”, saying the minister’s work in the FCT was receiving recognition while some residents continued to focus on isolated incidents and overlook the broader transformation taking place in the capital.

“Wike is like the Biblical prophet who is not honoured at home. At a time the man is being celebrated globally, some persons are still calling him names. We should be able to acknowledge the good works being done while also demanding that areas requiring improvement are addressed,” he said.

Agbese, who represents Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency in Benue State, said flooding should be treated as a shared responsibility, particularly in an expanding city such as Abuja, where rapid development and human activities could place additional pressure on drainage systems and natural waterways.

The UK-trained lawmaker specifically blamed indiscriminate dumping of refuse for contributing to the flooding experienced in some parts of the FCT, saying residents often obstruct drainage channels and waterways with waste before heavy rainfall.

“Residents also have a role to play. You cannot dump refuse into waterways and drainage channels and then turn around to blame the minister when the rain comes and the water has nowhere to pass,” Agbese said.

He urged residents to stop using drainage channels and waterways as dumping grounds and to report blocked or encroached waterways to the appropriate authorities.

He urged the FCT Administration to continue investing in drainage and flood-control infrastructure while intensifying enforcement against illegal dumping and encroachment on waterways.

The lawmaker said residents should see themselves as partners in the development of Abuja rather than passive beneficiaries of government projects.

“Abuja belongs to all of us. We must work with the FCT Administration to protect the infrastructure being provided and keep our communities clean. Government has its responsibilities, but citizens also have theirs,” he said.

He urged residents to support the administration’s development efforts, saying constructive criticism should go hand in hand with responsible citizenship.

Agbese said the objective should be to build an FCT that is capable of coping with the pressures created by population growth, extreme weather and increased human activity, rather than turning every challenge into an opportunity for political blame.