Drama as FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Refuses to Drink Water at Commissioning of New Karu Water Project

 Loading …

ABUJA, NIGERIA — A video circulating on social media has sparked mixed reactions across Nigeria after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barrister Nyesom Wike, seemingly declined to drink water directly from the newly commissioned ultra-modern Karu Water Supply Network in Abuja.

The incident occurred on Monday during the official flag-off of the landmark project, which is designed to provide potable water to thousands of underserved residents in Karu, Jikwoyi, Kurudu, Orozo, and surrounding satellite communities.

The Viral Moment

In the video, which quickly gained traction on X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms via handles like @TrendingEx, the Minister is seen inspecting the facility alongside other top government officials. However, when presented with the opportunity to taste or drink the water to demonstrate its immediate safety and potability to the public, Wike appeared cautious and avoided taking a drink—a gesture that netizens have quickly seized upon.

Critics on social media slammed the Minister, questioning why public officials are often hesitant to consume the products of the public utilities they commission. Conversely, defenders of the Minister argued the gesture may have been a minor logistical misunderstanding, a personal health preference, or a security protocol regarding unverified containers.

A Major Milestone Amid Social Media Buzz

Despite the online drama, the commissioning represents a massive infrastructural victory for the fast-growing satellite towns along the Nyanya-Karu-Karshi axis, which have historically suffered severe water scarcity and relied heavily on expensive water vendors (mairuwa) and unsafe boreholes.

The project, executed by CGC Nigeria Limited, features over 194 kilometers of secondary and tertiary pipeline networks connected to the existing Karu reservoir.

Speaking at the event before the viral incident, Wike expressed deep gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for backing the project under the “Renewed Hope” agenda.

“Because of the President’s directive for the early release of funds captured in the national budget, today, in less than one year, we have come back to commission the provision of water in Karu,” Wike stated, emphasizing that satellite towns will no longer be neglected in favor of elite districts.

Federal Government Assures Quality

Representing President Tinubu at the event, Vice President Kashim Shettima lauded the project as the fulfillment of a fundamental human right. ^{The Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), through its Executive Secretary Richard Dauda, also reassured the public that the water is fully treated, safe, and meets all health standards for public consumption.}

The FCT Administration has urged residents of the beneficiary communities to safeguard the massive pipeline network against vandalism and illegal connections.

As of the time of filing this report, the FCT Ministry has not released an official statement addressing the viral video.

Related