The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on political leaders across Nigeria to embrace cooperation across party lines, describing the Rainbow Coalition as a model for promoting political harmony and reducing hostility in the FCT.
Wike said the arrangement had encouraged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political groups to work together despite their differences.
He made the call during an interactive session with political leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths in Kuje Area Council, where stakeholders pledged support for President Tinubu and other candidates backed by the coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The minister said political disagreements should not degenerate into violence, adding that cooperation among political actors was essential for peace and development.
“If Nigerian politics can come to this level, we will not be hearing about fighting; we will not be seeing ourselves killing ourselves,” he said.
Wike explained that the coalition had created opportunities for politicians from different parties to collaborate on political and developmental issues. He stated that a similar arrangement was being implemented in Rivers State.
He cited former FCT Senator Philip Aduda as an example of a politician whose relationship with constituents extended beyond party affiliations, arguing that effective representation required elected officials to understand the needs and challenges of the people.
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Wike urged Kuje residents to assess candidates based on their records, accessibility and commitment to their constituents rather than campaign promises.
He criticised the current senator representing the FCT in the National Assembly, alleging that the incumbent had not engaged adequately with communities to understand their concerns.
The minister contrasted this with Aduda’s relationship with his constituents, stressing that elected representatives should remain accessible and responsive to the people.
“Aduda knows them. Aduda knows when they have problems. Aduda knows when they are sleeping, and Aduda knows when they are crying. That is the essence of representation,” he said.
He cautioned residents against entrusting their future to politicians he described as “political gamblers”, urging them to make informed electoral choices based on performance and service.
Road projects and community development
On infrastructure, Wike assured residents that the road project linking the Airport Road–Tipper Garage corridor to Gwagwalada would be completed and commissioned by the end of December 2026.
He recalled that traditional rulers in Kuje had identified the road as a priority during an earlier visit, appealing to the FCT Administration to address its poor condition.
The minister said the first phase of the project had been commissioned, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima representing President Tinubu during activities marking the administration’s third anniversary.
“Let me assure you, to the glory of God, by the end of December, we will also commission the one that leads to Gwagwalada,” he said.
Wike urged residents to compare the road’s former condition with its current state, describing the project as part of efforts to improve transportation and living conditions in the FCT’s satellite communities.
Speaking on behalf of Kuje’s traditional leaders, Hakimi Agwai, Shaibu Pada appealed to the minister to extend road construction to communities in the interior of the area council, including routes linking Rubochi, Kwali and neighbouring settlements.
Pada also assured the minister that residents would support candidates endorsed by the coalition in appreciation of the administration’s interventions.
Stakeholders pledge support ahead of 2027
Earlier, former FCT Senator Jibrin Usman Wowo said political stakeholders in Kuje had agreed to support President Tinubu’s second-term bid and APC candidates in the FCT during the 2027 general elections.
He said consultations involving women, youths, older residents and traditional rulers had contributed to the decision.
“Honourable Minister, I want to assure you that we in Kuje Area Council have sat down and agreed that Kuje people are going to vote APC from top to bottom,” Wowo said.
The FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, commended the administration’s infrastructure projects and political engagement, saying the coalition had encouraged APC and PDP leaders to work together.
He described the willingness of politicians from opposing parties to engage with one another as a significant development in Kuje’s political environment.
Yamawo added that residents were prepared to show appreciation for the administration’s interventions, including amenities they had previously demanded through protests.
The FCT PDP Chairman, Ismael Dogora, also credited Wike’s political engagement with promoting cooperation among party leaders and reducing confrontations during campaign activities.
“For the first time, we are campaigning in the FCT and no smashing of cars is recorded anywhere because there is unity in the FCT, courtesy of the Honourable Minister,” he said.
The Kuje Women Leader, Aishatu Yakubu, commended the administration for recognising women’s contributions to political mobilisation but called for greater female representation in governance and decision-making.
She said women remained important participants in the electoral process and urged political leaders to create more opportunities for them to contribute to governance.
Yakubu also appealed for additional road projects to address the needs of communities across the area council.
In his welcome address, Kuje Area Council Chairman Samuel Shekwolo praised Wike for what he described as his inclusive leadership and efforts to unite indigenous and non-indigenous communities in the FCT.
Shekwolo said the minister’s interventions had helped change perceptions about Kuje, which he noted had previously been viewed by some residents as an area with limited development opportunities.
He also commended the administration’s infrastructure projects, saying political cooperation had improved to the extent that leaders from opposing parties now worked together.
The chairman urged residents to support President Tinubu, Aduda and Dablandi Chiya in the January 16, 2027 elections.
Wike urged political stakeholders to sustain the cooperation, stressing that party differences should not prevent leaders from working together to address residents’ needs and promote development across the FCT.
