2027: Wike Declares FCT, Rivers for Tinubu, Warns Against Political Mistakes
…Says campaign will be based on projects, not promises
…Promises six projects for Abaji in December
…Abuja road awarded in 2010 to be commissioned in November
…APC, PDP leaders unite under Rainbow Coalition
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has declared that Abuja and Rivers State will deliver President Bola Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 election, warning political stakeholders against repeating what he described as past mistakes in the territory’s political calculations.
Wike, who spoke on Wednesday at the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja, said he had been assigned to coordinate Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the FCT and Rivers State, expressing confidence that both would deliver victory for the president.
“By the grace of God, FCT is for Tinubu, Rivers is for Tinubu,” he declared.
The minister urged political leaders and supporters to close ranks across party lines, mobilise voters and ensure victory for Tinubu, insisting that the FCT must not repeat previous political errors that, according to him, had affected its representation at the National Assembly.
He said the Rainbow Coalition had brought together members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political groups to pursue a common political objective ahead of the election.
“Those who don’t understand our Rainbow Coalition, you can see it now work here. Is there any fight? Before now, there would have been a fight. But we’ve stopped those kinds of fights,” Wike said.
He maintained that political differences should not prevent leaders from cooperating in the interest of the FCT, adding that the coalition was determined to build a united front for Tinubu’s re-election.
Wike said the administration would approach the election by presenting its achievements rather than relying on promises.
“For us, this is the time of producing your report card. Our campaign is our project,” he said.
The minister listed road construction, improved security, institutional reforms and greater inclusion of FCT indigenes among the achievements he said residents should consider when assessing the administration.
He announced that the Abuja road project awarded in 2010 would be commissioned in November, expressing confidence that the long-delayed project would be completed.
He also disclosed that the Zuba-Saburi road would be commissioned in December, while at least six projects would be commissioned in Abaji within the same month.
According to Wike, the FCT Administration has extended infrastructure development beyond the city centre to the six area councils, which he said had not adequately felt the impact of government in previous years.
He further disclosed that 12 new police stations, with residential accommodation for officers, had been constructed to strengthen security across the territory.
The minister said the administration had consulted traditional rulers, women and youths to identify their priority needs, adding that road construction and security facilities featured prominently in their requests.
He argued that the projects would provide residents with tangible evidence to assess the administration ahead of the election.
Wike promises more appointments for FCT indigene
The minister assured representatives of the six area councils that they would be considered in future appointments, stressing that inclusiveness would remain a priority in the administration of the territory.
He said the Tinubu administration had addressed longstanding concerns about the exclusion of FCT indigene from key political and administrative positions.
Wike cited the FCT’s representation at the Federal Executive Council, the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission and the appointment of permanent secretaries and a head of service as evidence of the changes.
He also highlighted the creation of Secretariat responsible for women and youth affairs, saying they had provided platforms for the groups to bring their concerns directly to the government.
The minister described the reforms as significant steps towards addressing years of perceived marginalization and strengthening indigenous participation in governance.
He added that the administration had taken steps to recognise traditional institutions and integrate indigenous communities into the development of the capital.
Wike defends Tinubu’s economic reforms
Wike also defended Tinubu’s removal of the petrol subsidy, acknowledging that the policy had imposed hardship on Nigerians but arguing that difficult decisions were necessary to reform the economy.
He said successive administrations had recognised the problems associated with the subsidy but had failed to take decisive action.
According to him, Tinubu demonstrated the political will to remove it when he assumed office on May 29, 2023.
The minister admitted that the cost of living remained high but expressed optimism that economic conditions would improve as the reforms stabilised.
He also argued that increased revenue available to governments had strengthened their capacity to execute projects without excessive dependence on bank loans.
While acknowledging that the administration had not solved every problem confronting the country, Wike insisted that it had made progress in addressing major challenges.
“We cannot say that this administration has solved every problem. No. But these three years they have gone, they have solved a lot of problems,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to assess the administration’s policies, reforms and development projects when deciding whether to support Tinubu for another term.
Warns against political ‘gamblers’
The minister also criticised opposition politicians whom he accused of seeking power without presenting convincing records of performance.
He warned voters against entrusting their political future to politicians whose priority, he alleged, would be recovering campaign expenses after winning elections.
Wike urged residents to look beyond social media popularity and political grandstanding, insisting that leadership should be judged by tangible achievements and the willingness to take difficult decisions.
He called on supporters to take the January 16 election seriously, stressing that every vote would count.
“One vote is very, very important,” he said, urging residents not to allow other commitments to prevent them from participating in the election.
The minister announced that the Rainbow Coalition’s campaign council would be inaugurated the following week, promising representation for women, youths, indigenous communities, non-indigenes and traditional rulers.
He emphasised the importance of women in political mobilisation and urged traditional rulers to encourage residents in their communities to turn out for the election.
APC, PDP leaders endorse coalition
The FCT Chairman of the APC, Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, commended Wike for bringing political actors together, saying party differences had previously strained relationships among residents and political leaders.
Yamawo said APC and PDP stakeholders were now working together in the interest of the FCT.
He also praised the Tinubu administration for appointing an FCT indigene to a ministerial position and addressing longstanding concerns about the integration of indigenous communities.
The APC chairman expressed confidence in Wike’s ability to coordinate the campaign, describing him as an experienced political leader capable of mobilising support for Tinubu.
Chairman of AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu, also expressed confidence in the coalition’s mobilisation efforts, identifying traditional rulers, indigenous communities and non-indigenes as important participants in the campaign.
The FCT Chairman of the PDP, Ismaila Dogara, was among the political stakeholders at the meeting, where APC and PDP leaders demonstrated their willingness to work together in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
The gathering brought together political leaders, representatives of the six area councils, traditional rulers, women and youth groups as the Rainbow Coalition intensified efforts to consolidate support for the president ahead of the 2027 election.
