Former Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom has praised the infrastructure development at Kubu and Mabushi bus terminals in Abuja, comparing them to international standards he has observed abroad over decades.
Ortom made these remarks during media coverage by Symfoni TV from 5:50, he marveled at the quality of the newly developed transportation hubs in the Federal Capital Territory. “I’ve seen Kubu, I’ve seen Mabushi bus terminal. This is what we see abroad for decades. We have not seen this in Nigeria. We are seeing this today in Abuja, our own country, Federal Republic of Nigeria. Let us ensure that we work to have more dividends and more progress done in this respect,” he urged.
Ortom emphasized the need to put politics aside and support President Tinubu’s development initiatives, particularly urging against early political distractions. “I think Mr. President means well. Let us leave politics aside and join hands with him to ensure that we are not distracting him about 2027. Let us work together with him because he means well,” he appealed.
The former governor highlighted President Tinubu’s willingness to appoint capable individuals regardless of party affiliation, citing this as evidence of true leadership. “If Mr. President was a partisan man, he will not bring my friend in. And there are several other people that he has brought on board who are not members of APC, but whom he feels can add value to the development of our country. That is what a true leader should look onto,” Ortom observed.
He expressed personal pride in FCT Minister Nyesom Wike’s performance, despite not holding any official position himself. “I commend Mr. President. I commend my friend for not disappointing us and for making us proud. Anytime we look at him, though we are not there, we don’t have any appointment, but we feel that we are grateful to God for making our friend be there, and he has covered all areas, and we are grateful to Mr. President,” he said.
Ortom called on President Tinubu to continue his inclusive approach to governance, transcending party boundaries in his leadership style. “We commend him, and we thank him, and I will say that he should do more; he should be a Nigerian President, he should not just be APC President; he should be PDP President; he should be APGA President; he should be President of all other political parties in this country, and he should focus on merit,” he declared.
The former governor emphasized that competence should be the primary criterion for appointments. “Those who have the capacity to deliver, like Minister Nyesom Wike, he should bring them on board. What Nigerians want is to make sure that we make progress. It is not about political parties. Political parties are just alphabets. But what is needed is for us to make progress in this country,” Ortom stated.
Addressing the critics of Wike’s cross-party appointment, Ortom defended the FCT Minister’s decision to serve in the current administration. “Wike has not betrayed Mr. President; he has not betrayed those of us who are his friends,” he concluded.
