The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has announced a landmark 95 percent implementation of the 2024 statutory budget, describing the achievement as unprecedented in the history of the FCT.

Wike made this known during a media briefing after inspecting several critical infrastructure projects across the Territory, including major roads at Life Camp and Katampe, as well as the ongoing renovation of the International Conference Centre, Abuja.

“I can tell you we’ve done not less than 95 percent of the budget implementation. That is historic. It has never happened before. And if you look at the projects there, you will see that there is no project that is in the 2024 budget that we have not touched,” he stated.

He attributed the progress to the National Assembly’s decision to extend the lifespan of the 2024 FCT statutory budget until June 2025, which he said enabled the Administration to sustain funding and accelerate delivery on major projects.

Wike also revealed that the 2025 statutory budget had already been submitted to the National Assembly and expressed hope that its timely passage would maintain the current momentum and support the completion of key infrastructure across the FCT.

During the tour, the Minister expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work, commending contractors for adhering to timelines and maintaining high standards.

Among the projects visited was the 4-kilometer six-lane dual carriageway linking Life Camp Junction to Ring Road III, currently under construction by Julius Berger. Once completed, the road will significantly improve connectivity between the districts of Kado, Karmo, Gwarimpa I, Dape, Ido-Gwari, Saburi, and Dei-Dei.

Another major project nearing completion is the access road from Nnamdi Azikiwe Expressway (by N16) to the Judges’ Quarters in Katampe District. This route will also connect the N20 (Wole Soyinka Way) in Jahi District with Katampe and Maitama, enhancing mobility in the area.

Wike expressed particular delight at the progress of the International Conference Centre renovation, which he described as rapidly advancing.

“These projects will be inaugurated by Mr. President during his second-year anniversary celebrations. We have gone to the International Conference Centre, which is almost ready. The first phase of the N5 will also be ready by the end of May,” he said.

The Benue State Government is reportedly making moves to block a planned visit by Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi, to camps housing Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in the state.

Obi, whose post-election activities have prominently included humanitarian outreach to victims of violence across the country, was said to have planned a visit to some of the IDP camps in Benue.

The former Anambra State governor, in recent weeks, visited IDP camps in Plateau, Southern Kaduna and Nasarawa states, meeting with displaced families, donating relief materials and advocating for urgent government intervention.

His visit to Plateau State drew national attention after he held talks with Governor Caleb Mutfwang and visited victims of herdsmen attacks.

According to reliable sources, Obi’s team had reached out to the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (BSEMA) through its Executive Secretary, Sir James Iorpuu, to officially notify the agency and seek access to designated camps for the visit.

However, it appears the move has sparked a political storm within Benue’s corridors of power.

Top government officials reportedly advised Governor Alia against granting Obi access to the IDP camps, citing political undertones.

The visit, they argued, could be perceived as a calculated move by former Governor Samuel Ortom, a staunch supporter of Peter Obi during the 2023 presidential election, to revive his political relevance and embarrass the current administration.

Beyond the Ortom factor, sources also revealed that the decision to stop Obi’s visit was influenced by wider political calculations.

“It is believed that allowing Obi access at this time could fuel ongoing speculations that Governor Alia is considering leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC) amid tensions with some national leaders of the party.

“The governor is very conscious of his relationship with the Presidency and party hierarchy. Allowing Obi’s visit would not only trigger local political drama with Ortom but might also be interpreted in Abuja as a subtle alignment with the opposition at a time when Alia is battling internal party issues. This is not the kind of message he wants to send to the President.

“Such an association, especially with a high-profile opposition figure like Obi, could be politically damaging for Alia, who has been working to consolidate his hold on the state and maintain good standing with President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” a source told Ekwutosblog on Monday.

It would be recalled that in the February 25, 2023 presidential poll, Obi pulled a stunning performance in Benue State, securing over 308,000 votes, a figure that shocked many given the dominance traditionally enjoyed by the two major parties – APC and PDP.

His victory in the state was largely attributed to the support of Ortom and a groundswell of youth-driven, faith-based and middle-class backing.

Following this backdrop, sources disclosed that Governor Alia was convinced by his inner circle to forestall Obi’s visit to avoid reigniting political rivalries or offering Ortom and the Labour Party a platform to reassert influence in the state.

As a result, the governor reportedly instructed his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, to issue a public statement cautioning against what it described as “unapproved high-profile visits” to the state.

“For anyone considering a visit to Benue State without the Governor’s knowledge, it is imperative to reconsider such plans, as the safety and security of individuals in this regard cannot be guaranteed,” he warned.

Though the statement fell short of directly naming Peter Obi, insiders confirmed that it was a veiled warning aimed at dissuading the former presidential candidate from proceeding with his proposed outreach.

One government source, speaking anonymously, said, “The governor is not comfortable with Obi’s visit, especially with the political undertones it carries.

“The camps are a sensitive issue and we cannot allow anyone to politicise the suffering of our displaced people.”

As of the time of filing this report, neither Obi’s camp nor the Labour Party has issued an official statement regarding the restriction.

However, a source close to the former governor disclosed that the visit was purely humanitarian and part of Obi’s ongoing national outreach to communities affected by violence and displacement.

The Nasarawa State House of Assembly resumed plenary on Monday after the Sallah break, confirming Mr. Ibrahim Abdulazeez Musa as the substantive Clerk of the House.