By Philip Yatai

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike has directed supporters of President Bola Tinubu in the territory to deliver their polling unit in the forthcoming 2027 general elections.

Wike gave the directive in Abuja on Saturday, during an event organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly to endorse Tinubu.

The stakeholders also endorsed Sen. Philip Aduda to represent FCT in the Senate, Mr John Gabaya for AMAC/Buari Federal Constituency and Danladi Chiya for Abuja South Federal Constituency.

Addressing the massive crowd, Wike framed the upcoming general elections as a critical opportunity for residents of the nation’s capital to rectify past electoral missteps and unite under a strategic development banner.

Under the directive tagged “Operation Deliver Your Polling Unit,” the minister warned that individual accountability at the local level would be the sole measure of political relevance.

“Deliver your polling unit, deliver your ward, deliver your local government. I don’t want to hear ‘I lost my polling unit, but we won.’ There is no grammar like that.

“If you lose your polling unit, don’t tell me you won, because you never contributed to the victory,” he said.

Targeting current political representation in the National Assembly, Wike questioned the accessibility and performance of incumbents, urging voters to back candidates with strong records of community engagement.

Wike praised Aduda as a trusted figure possessing “the signature to protect” the residents of the FCT if elected to the Senate.

Highlighting administrative achievements recorded under President Tinubu’s administration, Wike announced several structural reforms and incentives designed to strengthen local governance and traditional institutions in the territory.

He revealed that Tinubu has elevated the FCT traditional institution, announcing that official SUV vehicles would be distributed to royal fathers before December in recognition of their role in maintaining peace.

On the Rainbow Coalition, the minister explained that the arrangement was designed to unite political parties behind Tinubu without compelling them to abandon their respective political identities.

He commended the FCT chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for supporting the initiative, describing it as an opportunity to promote political cooperation beyond party affiliations.

He said the coalition was driven by the need for unity and inclusive development rather than narrow partisan interests.

Earlier, Dr Aliyu Kwali, President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, explained that the rally was organised out of appreciation for rapid infrastructure development across the territory’s six area councils under Wike’s leadership.

Citing newly commissioned infrastructure—including critical bypass routes connecting Gude to Kwali and Abaji, Wali described the Assembly as a non-partisan umbrella bringing together the territory’s diverse religious and political groups.

“Our common interest is to deliver Mr President come 2027, to deliver Distinguished Sen. Aduda and our National Assembly candidates.

“We have come here to tell the whole world that come Jan. 16, 2027, we shall deliver 1 million votes for Tinubu.

Also speaking, the Renewed Hope Ambassador Coordinator in FCT,  Mr Abdullahi Candido, described Wike’s appointment as FCT Minister as a blessing to Abuja saying, “Tinubu administration had brought democratic dividends and government closer to the people.

Candido said indigenous communities were beginning to enjoy better representation in governance.

Candido pledged the support of the Renewed Hope movement for Tinubu and expressed confidence that the APC would win the 2027 general elections.

Speaking on behalf of the APC National Assembly candidates, Aduda commended Tinubu for appointing Wike as FCT Minister, saying the administration had recorded significant achievements in infrastructure and human capital development.

He urged indigenous people and other residents to sustain their support for Tinubu, assuring them that the candidates, if elected, would promote legislation to strengthen good governance and development in the territory.

The Chairman of APC in FCT, Mr Ishaku Tanko, praised Wike for fostering political cooperation across party lines, describing the Rainbow Coalition as a new approach to politics without bitterness.

His PDP counterpart, Mr Samaila Dogara, also backed the initiative saying “Tinubu’s decision to appoint a minister from outside the FCT political establishment had given the territory a stronger voice in the Federal Government.

On his part, Mr Christopher Maikalangu, Chairman, Abuja Municipal Area Council, equally endorsed Tinubu’s second-term bid on behalf of the six area council chairmen.

Maikalangu, who is also the Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), FCT Chapter, expressed confidence that residents of the territory would vote massively for TInubi and other APC candidates.(NAN)

Edited by Yakubu Uba