Reject 2023 mistake, back Tinubu in 2027, Wike tells FCT residents

…Minister says Rainbow Coalition is beyond party lines, endorses Aduda, Gbadaya, recommends Julius Adamu for UBEC appointment

Favour Ishember, Abuja

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged residents of the territory not to repeat what he described as the “mistake” of the 2023 general elections, calling on them to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 while rejecting politicians he labelled as “political gamblers.”

Speaking at an interactive session organised by the Rainbow Coalition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Bwari Area Council, Abuja, Wike asked the crowd: “The mistake we made in 2023, would we make that mistake again? If it was an error, would we make that error again?” The audience responded with a resounding “No.”

The minister said the Rainbow Coalition was created to bring politicians from different political parties together in pursuit of the common interest of FCT residents, insisting that development must always take precedence over party affiliation.

According to him, political parties are only platforms for attaining public office, stressing that leaders must ultimately serve the people regardless of political differences.

“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 from the vehicle and you now work for the interest of the people,” Wike said.

He urged residents to evaluate elected representatives based on their accessibility, responsiveness and commitment to solving the challenges confronting communities across the FCT.

The minister also questioned the performance of the senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, asking residents whether they had truly felt her impact or seen her engage traditional rulers, women and youths to understand their concerns.

“Today, the people of FCT, do you feel the impact? Do you feel the presence of the senator representing FCT today?” he asked.

Wike presented former FCT Senator Philip Aduda to the gathering as one of the coalition’s endorsed candidates, describing him as a grassroots politician who understood the needs and aspirations of the people.

“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 man who knows when Gombe people are in need. Senator Philip Aduda,” he declared.

He also endorsed John Gbadaya under the coalition’s political arrangement.

The minister attributed the ongoing transformation across the FCT to President Tinubu’s unwavering support for his administration, saying the President’s approval of key projects had enabled the government to tackle infrastructure deficits and address longstanding demands of residents.

“All these things are being done because somebody is responsible. If the person does not agree with the minister doing anything, nothing will happen,” he stated.

Wike further announced that the Gombe-Kubwa road project would be completed and opened to motorists before Christmas.

“Let me authoritatively tell you today, by the grace of God, this December, you will do Christmas on this road, Gombe to Kubwa,” he assured.

The minister disclosed that political consultations before the last Area Council elections led to the PDP chairmanship candidate in Bwari, Julius Adamu, stepping down in support of the current chairman, Joshua, describing the decision as a demonstration of sacrifice for the collective good and political unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

He added that, in recognition of Adamu’s loyalty and cooperation, he would recommend him for appointment into the FCT Universal Basic Education Commission, saying unity among political stakeholders remained essential to achieving the coalition’s objectives.

Earlier, Bwari Area Council APC Women Leader, Deborah Ayorinde, praised Wike’s political leadership and appealed for sustained support for the council.

She described Bwari as one of the most neglected area councils in the FCT, expressing optimism that Wike’s interventions would reverse years of marginalisation.

“Among the six Area Councils we have in FCT, Bwari Area Council is the most neglected. Because Bwari Area Council has been marginalised for long. Your arrival reawakens our hope,” she said.

Ayorinde also commended Wike for supporting Joshua’s emergence as chairman after persuading Julius Adamu to step aside in the interest of the political arrangement.

Quoting the Bible, she said: “When the righteous person is in power, the people rejoice. We are rejoicing because we have you as our father.”

She appealed to the minister to continue supporting the council to ensure a peaceful and successful election, expressing confidence that residents would overwhelmingly support President Tinubu in the next general election.

In his remarks, FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, lauded Wike for breaking long-standing political barriers by encouraging cooperation between APC and PDP members through the Rainbow Coalition.

Yamawo recalled that political rivalry had previously made open interaction between members of the two parties almost impossible, narrating how a former PDP chairman once declined a ride in his vehicle for fear of political repercussions.

According to him, the coalition had changed the political atmosphere in the FCT, allowing politicians from different parties to work together.

“What you have done today is not for Aduda, Gabaya and Chiya to benefit, but all of us as politicians in FCT are going to benefit from what you have started today,” he said, expressing confidence that Bwari residents would back APC candidates in 2027.

Also speaking, FCT PDP Chairman, Ismaila Dogara, declared that the Rainbow Coalition had come to stay, noting that members of his party had embraced the initiative and were prepared to work with the APC in support of President Tinubu.

Dogara urged Wike to convey the aspirations of FCT residents to the President, saying the time had come for residents to reciprocate the administration’s developmental efforts.

Traditional rulers at the meeting equally applauded the minister for ongoing infrastructure projects while calling for more attention to roads and public facilities in their communities.

The Sarkin Bwari, Alhaji Awwal Musa Ijakoro II, commended the administration for water projects and road construction around Tokulo, Ushafa and the Bwari-Zuba corridor, while appealing for the rehabilitation of the Army Checkpoint-Central Bwari road.

The Esu of Bwari, Dr. Ibrahim Yaro, also praised the administration’s developmental strides and appealed for the construction of roads linking Karu, Mpape and neighbouring communities.

Welcoming participants, Bwari Area Council Chairman, Joshua, thanked Wike for his political support, recalling that residents had responded positively when the minister earlier urged them to support his candidature.

He said ongoing projects across the FCT had boosted public confidence in the administration and pledged the council’s continued cooperation with the minister.

The meeting was part of the Rainbow Coalition’s mobilisation drive ahead of the 2027 general elections, with APC and PDP leaders reaffirming their commitment to work together in support of President Tinubu and candidates endorsed under the coalition. :::writingHeadline: Reject 2023 Mistake, Back Tinubu In 2027, Wike Tells FCT Residents

Rider: Minister says Rainbow Coalition is beyond party lines, endorses Aduda, Gbadaya, recommends Julius Adamu for UBEC appointment

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged residents of the territory not to repeat what he described as the “mistake” of the 2023 general elections, calling on them to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 while rejecting politicians he labelled as “political gamblers.”