Judge Leaders By Achievements, Not Promises – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike says leaders should be judged by their tangible achievements and contributions to society rather than promises, political rhetoric or public relations.

Wike said leadership comes with the responsibilities to make difficult decisions, deploy available resources to address societal needs and demonstrate measurable impact on the lives of the people.

He spoke yesterday at the commissioning of a pedestrian bridge constructed by the Dunamis International Gospel Centre in Abuja as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.

The minister, who commended the church for the intervention, said its decision to invest in public infrastructure demonstrated that leadership was about translating good intentions into practical actions.

He challenged political office holders, religious leaders, private institutions and individuals to measure their leadership by the positive difference they made in the lives of others.

“Watching the documentary and seeing what you have done, touching lives, not only with your soul, but talking about the welfare of other people, that is leadership,” he said.

Wike praised the senior pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Dr Paul Enenche and his wife for demonstrating that religious institutions could contribute meaningfully to societal development beyond preaching and spiritual ministrations.

He noted that committing resources to projects that benefit the wider community required sacrifice, especially when organisations had other financial obligations to meet.

According to him, the church’s intervention showed that responsible leadership involved making choices that prioritise the welfare of others.

The minister also stressed the need for public office holders to be accountable, insisting that elected representatives must be able to point to concrete achievements during their time in office.

He said future generations would assess leaders based on what they accomplished and the impact of their decisions rather than what they claimed to have done.

Wike further cautioned Nigerians against allowing social media narratives to determine their assessment of political leaders, urging them to examine verifiable achievements, competence and performance.

He maintained that public discussions about governance should be based on facts rather than unsubstantiated claims and political propaganda.

The FCT minister also called for courage and consistency in leadership, saying those entrusted with responsibility must be prepared to take difficult decisions, even when such decisions attract criticism.

He urged Nigerians to acknowledge government efforts where progress had been recorded while offering constructive criticism in areas requiring improvement.

Recalling the church’s engagement with the FCT Administration, Wike said an application submitted in 2018 was brought to his attention when the church renewed its request in February 2026.

He said the administration granted approval within a short period, demonstrating its willingness to support initiatives that promote public safety and community development.

Wike also assured the church of the administration’s readiness to support similar interventions, indicating that the government would consider a 50 per cent contribution towards an associated project.

He called on other religious organisations, corporate bodies and individuals to emulate Dunamis by investing in initiatives that address pressing community needs.

Earlier, Pastor Enenche said love, which is central to the Christian faith, must be demonstrated through giving, selflessness and practical contributions to humanity.

He said people should be remembered for the problems they solved and the positive impact they made rather than the wealth they accumulated.

The cleric urged political, religious and other leaders to recognise that they would ultimately give account of how they utilised their positions, resources and opportunities.

He added that the church’s responsibility extended beyond spiritual activities to practical interventions that improve lives and contribute to societal development.