On Saturday at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Barr. Nyesom Wike, urged every supporter of President Bola Tinubu to turn their public endorsement into actual votes in the 16 January 2027 presidential election, insisting that each stakeholder must secure victory at the polling‑unit, ward, local‑government and state levels.
What were the main outcomes of the meeting?
The gathering, billed as the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Meeting, also served to unveil the FCT’s National Assembly candidates. Traditional rulers, political leaders, six area‑council chairmen, indigenous community representatives and ordinary residents were present. The slate included Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the Senate, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North, and former Kwali Chairman Danladi Chiya for Abuja South. Wike warned, “If you lose your polling unit, do not claim you won, because you never contributed to the victory.”
Why did Wike stress grassroots participation?
He cautioned stakeholders against taking credit for a win without delivering results on the ground, stating, “Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward, deliver your local government, deliver your state.” The minister reminded attendees of the 2023 election, describing it as a mistake that must not be repeated, and declared that 2027 offered a chance to correct past errors.
How did Wike portray President Tinubu’s impact on the FCT?
Wike credited Tinubu’s administration with reviving infrastructure, upgrading traditional institutions after decades of neglect, and approving SUVs for traditional rulers to be presented on 4 December. He highlighted the establishment of the FCT Youth Development Secretariat, Women Affairs Secretariat and Civil Service Commission as milestones that now allow civil servants to rise to Permanent Secretary and Head of Service positions.
What commitments were made to specific groups?
Addressing youth representatives who complained about delayed audience time, Wike set 10 November for a meeting with youths from the six area councils and announced Tinubu’s approval for four buses to aid youth mobilisation. He also promised a separate session for persons with disabilities, urging them to register and vote.
How did the Rainbow Coalition aim to unite parties?
Wike explained that the coalition was designed to rally political parties behind Tinubu while preserving their individual identities. He praised both APC and PDP chairmen in the FCT for supporting the initiative and assured non‑indigenous residents that inclusive governance would continue, noting Tinubu’s willingness to accommodate both indigenes and other Nigerians living in the capital.
What additional development figures were cited?
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North‑Central), Abiodun Essien, reported that the federal government had completed 164 km of roads in the North‑Central region and had 1,207 km under construction nationwide, while 850,000 students had benefited from the student‑loan scheme.
Who else endorsed the candidates?
The President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr. Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, called the endorsement historic and linked confidence in the administration to projects such as the Uje‑Gwagwalada‑Ruruwoshi‑Abaji Road. Renewed Hope Ambassador Hon. Abdullahi Adamu Candido hailed Wike’s appointment as a blessing and praised Senator Aduda as the best senator the FCT has produced. Candidates and party leaders, including APC Chairman Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, PDP counterpart Samaila Muhammad Dogara, AMAC Chairman Hon. Christopher Zakka Maikalangu, and youth leaders Yamawo Destiny and Felix Acka, all pledged to deliver votes for Tinubu. Traditional rulers, notably the Ona of Abaji and the Permanent Chairman of the FCT Council of Chiefs, HRH Alhaji (Dr.) Adamu Baba Yunusa, also affirmed their support for Wike and the endorsed slate.