By Stella Odueme
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged residents of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to reject what he described as political gamblers and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Wike, who is the Coordinator of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the FCT and Rivers State, made the appeal during an interactive engagement with stakeholders of the Rainbow Coalition, comprising community leaders, political figures, women and youth groups in Abuja.
He cautioned voters against entrusting their political future to politicians without verifiable records of achievement, arguing that such candidates could prioritise recovering campaign expenses over public service.
Taking a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Wike said repeated presidential contests without a convincing record of delivery should make voters reconsider their choices.
“We have somebody who has run for president eight times. Every time there is a presidential election, the person will run. If you give your political destiny to these people, when they win, the first thing is to recoup everything they have spent.
“We prefer a President that is tried and tested and not people who play to the gallery,” he said in a statement by the Deputy Director, Press Office of the Minister, Rabi Musa Umar,
The minister attributed ongoing infrastructure development in the FCT to Tinubu’s support, noting that the administration had consulted the six area councils upon assuming office to identify their most pressing needs, particularly security and road infrastructure.
He said the interventions had resulted in the construction of 12 police stations with residential quarters, alongside road projects across the territory.
Wike identified AMAC as a major beneficiary of the projects, announcing that the long-delayed Apo-Karshi Road would be commissioned in November, while the Kagini/Kabba/Zaudna Road and at least six other projects in the area council were scheduled for commissioning in December.
“AMAC is the greatest beneficiary in the FCT. Apo-Karshi Road was awarded 16 years ago. By this November, we will commission that road. This December, we are going to commission the Kagini/Kabba/Zaudna Road.
“This December alone, we are going to commission not less than six projects in AMAC. This is the time to show your report card. Our campaign is the projects. Our campaign is to show you what we have done. If you give us support, we will do more,” he said.
On the economic situation, the minister acknowledged the prevailing cost-of-living challenges but expressed optimism that ongoing structural reforms would deliver long-term stability.
He also highlighted institutional reforms in the FCT, including the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of a Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, and the creation of Women and Youth Secretariats.
According to him, the initiatives demonstrate the administration’s commitment to inclusive governance and improved career opportunities for FCT workers.
Wike called for stronger mobilisation under the Rainbow Coalition, which brings together political stakeholders across party lines, including members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said the coalition would work towards securing Tinubu’s re-election and supporting legislative candidates, including Senator Philip Aduda and Hon. John Gabaya.
The minister announced that an inclusive campaign structure involving women, youths, non-indigenes and traditional institutions would be inaugurated the following week to mobilise voters ahead of the January 16 elections.
“As the Coordinator of the campaign here, everything that is required for you will be done. Everything that is required for this election, we are ready.
“Re-electing the President is a task that must be taken seriously. Everybody must come out with their PVC and vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Whatever you are doing that day, you have to make sacrifices. On the 16th of January, be available with your PVC,” he said.
Earlier, AMAC Chairman Christopher Maikalangu expressed confidence in Tinubu’s electoral prospects in the area council.
The APC chairman in the FCT, Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, and his PDP counterpart, Ismail Mohammed Dogara, commended Wike for fostering political cooperation across party lines.
They said the collaboration had helped reduce previous political rivalries by placing development and community inclusion at the centre of engagement.
Speaking on behalf of traditional institutions, the District Head of Jikwoyi in AMAC, HRH Nicodemus Machi, described Wike as a “chain breaker”, crediting his administration with improving infrastructure, security and the recognition of traditional rulers.
“You came into the FCT and breathed new life into the territory. We used to have a lantern, but it was under the table—everywhere was darkness. But as you assumed duty in the FCT, you brought light,” Machi said.
He also commended the minister for addressing longstanding concerns of traditional institutions, saying the recognition of chiefs and the upgrading of traditional chiefdoms had brought governance closer to communities.
Other stakeholders, including representatives of women and youth groups, praised the administration’s initiatives and pledged support for Tinubu and the FCT Administration.
The engagement was attended by Renewed Hope FCT Coordinator Adamu Candido, APC and PDP executives, members of the National Assembly, former and serving area council chairmen, traditional rulers and representatives of civil society organisations across the territory.