Group Blasts Wike Over Attack on David Mark, Urges FCT Minister to ‘Move On’

A civil society group, the Grassroots Mobilization Network (GMN), has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over his recent comments against the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, urging the minister to “move on” from past political setbacks.

In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja and signed by its Secretary-General, Usman Bala Idris, the group described Wike’s verbal attack on the former Senate President over the condition of roads in the FCT as “grossly irresponsible.”

GMN alleged that Wike had continued to direct attacks at Senator Mark and other elder statesmen because of his defeat at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) national convention several years ago.

According to the group, rather than putting the political contest behind him, the FCT minister has remained preoccupied with the outcome years later.

The organisation further claimed that Wike’s recent criticism of Senator Mark may have been influenced by the emergence of his former political ally and fellow Rivers indigene, Rotimi Amaechi, as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice-presidential candidate.

The group also dismissed Wike’s allegation that Senator Mark extensively used helicopters while in office, describing the claim as unfounded.

“It is surprising that Wike, who has travelled in various private jets, including the Rivers State-owned aircraft, for over 12 years, would make such allegations against Senator Mark long after he left office as Senate President,” the statement said.

GMN argued that the constitutional responsibility of the President of the Senate is to make laws for the peace, order and good governance of the country, not to supervise the construction of roads or execute infrastructure projects.

“It is therefore completely misplaced to suggest that Senator Mark, as President of the Senate, was responsible for constructing roads,” the group stated.

The organisation also reminded Wike that one of Senator Mark’s constitutional duties as Senate President included presiding over the confirmation of ministerial nominees, a process through which Wike himself was screened and confirmed before assuming office as a minister.

Describing Senator Mark as “a nationalist of high repute, a distinguished military officer and an exemplary presiding officer,” the group said he had served Nigeria with honour in every office he had occupied.

It added that no amount of personal attacks would deter patriotic Nigerians from working towards what it described as the rescue of the country from poor leadership.