The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged Abuja residents to reconsider their political choices ahead of the 2027 general elections and support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Wike made the appeal on Thursday during a meeting of the Rainbow Coalition, an alliance involving members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in Bwari Area Council, Abuja.
The minister urged residents to reflect on the outcome of the 2023 presidential election and consider whether they would make the same decision in 2027.
“The mistake we made in 2023, would we make that mistake again? If it was an error, would we make that error again?” he asked.
Wike maintained that political differences should not prevent leaders from working together to improve the lives of residents. He explained that the Rainbow Coalition was established to unite politicians across party lines and pursue common development goals.
“It doesn’t matter the party. After all, party is a vehicle that conveys you to where you are going. When you get there, you come down and work for the interest of the people,” he said.
The minister also cited ongoing infrastructure projects in the FCT as part of the reasons residents should support the Tinubu administration.
He announced that the Gombe-Kubwa Road was expected to be completed in December, expressing optimism that residents would be able to use the road during the Christmas period.
“Let me authoritatively tell you today, by the grace of God, this December, you will do Christmas on this road, Gombe to Kubwa,” Wike said.
He also endorsed former FCT senator Philip Aduda’s return to the Senate, describing him as a politician who understands the challenges and concerns of residents.
“So, I am here today to present to you your own son. The man who understands when you are sleeping. The man who knows when you are crying,” the minister stated.
Wike further disclosed that discussions within the coalition had resulted in Julius Adamu, the PDP candidate in the last Bwari Area Council chairmanship election, withdrawing in support of the incumbent chairman, Joshua Ishaku.
According to the minister, the decision was part of efforts to strengthen cooperation among political parties ahead of the 2027 elections.
Earlier, a Bwari women’s leader, Deborah Ayorinde, acknowledged Wike’s interventions but appealed for greater attention to the area’s development needs. She described Bwari as the most neglected of the FCT’s six area councils.
The FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, and his PDP counterpart, Ismaila Dogara, commended the coalition for promoting cooperation between the two parties and pledged to work towards Tinubu’s re-election.
Traditional rulers at the meeting, including the Sarkin Bwari, Alhaji Awwal Musa Ijakoro II, and the Esu of Bwari, Dr Ibrahim Yaro, also acknowledged ongoing infrastructure projects while calling for the rehabilitation of important roads in the area.
