By Stella Odueme
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has pledged to complete the abandoned Gwagwalada Mini-Stadium to provide sporting facilities for youths in the area.
He also directed the FCTA Agriculture and Rural Development Secretariat to immediately liaise with the Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Kassim Mohammed, to relocate the local abattoir following concerns raised by community stakeholders.
Wike gave the assurances during a town hall meeting with stakeholders of the Rainbow Coalition at the newly constructed Gwagwalada Civic Centre, the Deputy Director, Press Office of the Minister, Rabi Musa Umar, said in a statement on Monday.
The meeting was part of his ongoing political mobilisation across the six area councils to rally support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election and other APC candidates in the 2027 general elections.
The minister said completing the mini-stadium would provide young people with opportunities to develop their sporting talents, noting that the facility could help produce future international football stars.
"The youths have said here that they are not asking much. Where they can play sports morning, evening, weekend, play football. You never can tell, one day we will have somebody like Lionel Messi or Mbappé. We may have him here. Give them the opportunity," he said.
On the abattoir relocation, Wike gave the Mandate Secretary for Agriculture, Ango Abdullahi, an ultimatum to work with the area council chairman to ensure its immediate relocation.
"Liaise with the Chairman and the abattoir should be moved immediately. If you don't do it, your job is at stake," he warned.
Wike, who also commissioned the Gwagwalada Civic Centre, commended the area council chairman for completing the facility and acknowledged the turnout of residents at the event.
He recalled that the road leading to Zuba, which residents had requested during his earlier visit, was expected to be completed in December. He also highlighted other road projects executed across the area council.
The minister urged residents to participate in the January 16, 2027 elections, calling on them to support Tinubu, Senator Philip Aduda, House of Representatives candidate Danladi Chiya and other APC candidates under the Rainbow Coalition.
He described the coalition as a platform for political unity, while criticising politicians opposed to the arrangement.
According to him, some politicians were opposed to the coalition because of what he described as selfish interests and their inability to unite their political constituencies.
Wike also criticised the FCT's current representation in the Senate, saying residents had decided to support leaders who were accessible and maintained contact with their communities.
He specifically mentioned Senator Ireti Kingibe, declaring that the electorate had resolved to move on from her representation.
Responding to requests by students for direct engagement, the minister disclosed that the Chief of Staff would announce a date for a town hall meeting with students following his scheduled interaction with FCT youths on November 10.
Earlier, the Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Kassim Mohammed, reaffirmed his support for the Rainbow Coalition and Tinubu's re-election bid.
Mohammed said ongoing infrastructure projects in Gwagwalada would feature prominently in the campaign for continuity, expressing confidence in the coalition's candidates.
Speaking on behalf of women, Hajara Abdullahi appreciated the minister for development projects in the rural parts of the FCT and pledged their support for the coalition in 2027.
Similarly, a youth representative, Comrade Inuwa Gusau, commended Wike for supporting the area council chairman and pledged the backing of Gwagwalada youths for Tinubu and APC candidates.
The FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, and his PDP counterpart, Mohammed Dogara, also praised the minister for bringing members of different political parties together under the Rainbow Coalition.
The Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji, commended the spread of infrastructure development across the FCT and urged political candidates to sustain inclusiveness irrespective of party affiliations.
Former Gwagwalada Area Council chairmen, Adamu Mustapha Danze and Zakari Angulu, serving area council chairmen and other Rainbow Coalition stakeholders attended the meeting.