By Stella Odueme
President Bola Tinubu has approved the procurement of brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for newly upgraded traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Minister Nyesom Wike has disclosed.
Wike made this known on Saturday, at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Rally and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
The event attracted traditional rulers, chairmen of the six Area Councils, representatives of indigenous communities, youth and women groups, as well as political leaders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to a statement by the Deputy Director, Press, Office of the Minister, Rabi Musa Umar, the stakeholders endorsed President Tinubu for a second term in 2027, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT Senate seat, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North and Hon. Danladi Chiya for Abuja South Federal Constituency.
Explaining the presidential approval of the vehicles, Wike said it was a recognition of the important roles traditional rulers play in preserving cultural heritage and maintaining peace in their communities.
He noted that Tinubu had also approved the upgrading of traditional stools in the FCT, a process he said had remained unattended to for 27 years.
According to the minister, the President has directed that the traditional rulers receive their SUVs before December 2026.
Wike said the traditional institution deserved adequate recognition and empowerment because of its contributions to grassroots administration and community development.
Turning to the 2027 elections, the minister charged political supporters to ensure victory at their respective polling units, wards and Area Councils.
He consequently declared what he described as "Operation Deliver Your Polling Unit", warning that political leaders and supporters should not claim credit for electoral victories if they failed to secure their polling units.
Wike also attributed the administration's achievements in the FCT to Tinubu's support and cooperation with the six Area Council chairmen.
He listed the completion of 30 inherited projects, the award of 76 new projects, the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, Youth and Women Secretariats, and the FCT's exit from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) arrangement among the achievements.
The minister expressed confidence that Senator Aduda would emerge victorious in the January 16, 2027 election, arguing that he had maintained closer engagement with constituents.
To strengthen grassroots mobilisation, Wike announced that President Tinubu had approved four buses for youths in the FCT.
He also scheduled November 10 for an interactive meeting with young people from the six Area Councils and promised a separate engagement with persons with disabilities.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Abiodun Essien, disclosed that the Federal Government had completed 164 kilometres of roads in the North-Central region and 1,207 kilometres nationwide.
He commended Wike for infrastructure development in the FCT, saying the projects had helped make the presence of the Tinubu administration visible in the territory.
Other stakeholders, including the Renewed Hope Ambassador in the FCT, Abdullahi Adamu Candido, and FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, also praised the minister's leadership.
Responding on behalf of the National Assembly candidates, Aduda thanked Tinubu and Wike for their support and pledged effective representation of FCT residents.
The President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, said the organisation had set a target of mobilising one million votes for Tinubu and the Rainbow Coalition candidates in the forthcoming elections.