Nigeria's Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has called on stakeholders in the FCT to deliver their polling units, wards, local government areas, and state for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16, 2027, election. Wike gave the charge at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Meeting and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates, organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
The meeting brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, six area council chairmen, indigenous communities, and residents, who endorsed Tinubu for a second term, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT Senate seat, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North, and former Kwali Chairman Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency. Wike warned stakeholders against claiming credit for victory without contributing at the grassroots, saying genuine support must be demonstrated at polling units.
Wike described the endorsement as significant and thanked traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen, and residents for supporting the initiative. He urged residents not to repeat what he described as the mistake of the 2023 election, saying 2027 offered an opportunity to correct it. “We shall never make the mistake we made in 2023. Are we going to make the same mistake? No! When you realise a mistake, you correct it,” he said.
The minister called on residents to support Aduda, whom he described as their son, father, and friend, saying effective representation required a senator who understood their concerns and remained accessible. Wike attributed Tinubu’s endorsement to the President’s interventions in the FCT, particularly in infrastructure development and the upgrading of traditional institutions after 27 years of neglect.
Wike disclosed that Tinubu had also approved SUVs for traditional rulers, which would be presented on December 4. He commended the six area council chairmen for cooperating with the FCTA despite their party differences, noting that their collaboration had driven progress in the city centre and satellite towns. The minister listed the establishment of the FCT Youth Development Secretariat, Women Affairs Secretariat, and Civil Service Commission as major achievements.
The President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, described the endorsement as historic, linking confidence in the administration to Wike’s projects, including the Uje-Gwagwalada-Ruruwoshi-Abaji Road. The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Abiodun Essien, said the Federal Government had completed 164km of roads in the North-Central and had 1,207km under construction nationwide.
The FCT APC Chairman, Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, and his PDP counterpart, Samaila Muhammad Dogara, pledged to deliver votes for Tinubu. Traditional rulers, including the Ona of Abaji and Permanent Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, His Royal Majesty Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Baba Yunusa, also pledged their support for Wike and the endorsed candidates.
Key points
- Wike charges FCT stakeholders to deliver polling units for Tinubu in 2027 election.
- The minister attributes Tinubu's endorsement to his interventions in the FCT.
- Wike commends area council chairmen for cooperation despite party differences.
