‘They don’t have taste’ — Wike knocks critics of Tinubu over N39bn ICC renovation
Nyesom Wike, the minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), has responded to critics of the N39 billion spent to renovate the Abuja International Conference Centre (ICC), saying they “have no taste”.
On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu inaugurated the renovated conference centre which the FCT minister renamed as Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.
Peter Obi, a former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate in the 2023 elections, criticised the amount spent on the ICC’s renovation.
Obi had urged the government to invest in education instead, calling the initiative “a misplacement of priorities by the government to favour the rich while the poor are dying in droves.”
“The N39 billion used to renovate the International Conference Centre would have been better spent on addressing urgent issues affecting Nigerian schoolchildren, who are in desperate need of such investment,” he stated.
However, speaking during the inauguration of the left-hand service carriageway of the outer southern expressway in Apo-Wasa, on Friday, Wike invited detractors to visit Abuja to witness the improvements.
The minister berated the critics of the renovated conference centre, noting that the block was the only item that remained unchanged in the ICC’s restoration.
“You know, there are people naturally, they don’t have good taste. They don’t have good taste,” Wike said.
“The only thing in that International Conference Centre that was not changed was the block. Everything in that International Conference Centre, everything was changed.
“If you love this country, you cannot criticise. It’s not about wearing only one shoe, telling people lies. It’s a lie. It’s not about, oh, I carry my bag. No.
“Nigeria, as a giant of Africa, must not only show that they are a giant, but people must see what makes you to be a giant of Africa. Nobody who loves this country will criticise the International Conference Centre.
“Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport was not built by Nnamdi Azikiwe. Moshood Abiola Stadium was not built by Moshood Abiola. Oh, it was built with N240m. Which year? 1991. What was the exchange rate in 1991? 1991. And compare the exchange rate.”
The minister also took a swipe at Reuben Abati, a former spokesperson for President Goodluck Jonathan.
“If you did not do well to defend your boss when you had opportunity, it’s not our fault. You were there,” he stated.
“They were hitting your boss left, right and centre. You couldn’t defend your boss. I am here. I will defend my boss. And I have the capacity to defend my boss.
“I don’t normally watch them. I don’t like to know people’s names who don’t have anything to offer.
“If you want to die, I have a lot of land. I have land to give you where they will bury you. Africa’s population is too high. So if you want to die, you die.
“Why would you not commend somebody who has done well? You are not happy that they named ICC after Mr. President. Go and kill yourself.”
