By Philip Yatai
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike, says his Rainbow Coalition, a cross-party political platform, has promoted political stability and unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike said this on Friday during an interactive session with stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kuje Area Council.
Addressing party leaders, traditional rulers and community stakeholders, Wike said effective governance required political differences to be set aside in favour of public interest and tangible infrastructural development.
He highlighted the presence of APC and PDP members in the same hall to discuss community development, describing it as an example of cooperation rather than partisan conflict.
“If Nigerian politics can come to this level, we will not be hearing fighting; we will not be seeing ourselves killing each other.
“You can shout PDP today in the FCT, and at the same time, you can shout APC in the same hall. It is a collective coalition,” he said.
The minister said the bipartisan approach was designed to eliminate political discrimination and enable representatives across party lines to work together for residents and satellite towns.
He contrasted the administration’s achievements with previous political promises, urging citizens to assess leaders based on their records and hold them accountable for their performance.
Wike cautioned voters against political gamblers and online rhetoric, urging residents to focus on tangible achievements, including road construction, educational stability and local infrastructure development.
He cited projects in Kuje, including the completion and expansion of the Gwagwalada road network and the dualisation of Kuje-Airport Road, as evidence of the administration’s commitment.
“When President Bola Tinubu appointed us, he instructed us to go to the satellite towns and ask the people what their problems are.
“Making promises and fulfilling those promises, that is what representation and governance should be about,” the minister said.
Wike urged Kuje residents to support Tinubu’s re-election bid and extend similar support to Sen. Philip Aduda, who is seeking election to represent the FCT in the Senate.
He also called on residents to support Mr John Gabaya for AMAC-Bwari Federal Constituency and Mr Danladi Chiya for FCT South Federal Constituency, both under the APC platform.
The minister urged other states to emulate the FCT’s cross-party collaboration model, saying political alignment should serve the electorate’s interests rather than personal or partisan ambitions.
Political stakeholders, traditional leaders and women’s groups in Kuje Area Council declared support for Wike’s Rainbow Coalition initiative and its stated objective of supporting Tinubu and APC candidates.
The Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Mr Samuel Shekolo, commended Wike for promoting political stability and directing developmental attention towards the area council.
Shekolo highlighted the appointment of a Kuje indigene as Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, attributing his emergence as council chairman to the backing of FCT leadership.
“We have different groups here today, senior politicians, market women, cabinet women and our revered traditional rulers here.
“We all gathered to align with Wike’s direction ahead of the upcoming elections and to appreciate what this administration has done for Kuje and the entire FCT,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of traditional rulers, the District Head of Agwe, Alhaji Shuaibu Agwe, said political dynamics in the area council had shifted in favour of the Rainbow Coalition.
Agwe expressed confidence in the coalition, citing road projects and political cooperation as factors he believed would influence the forthcoming elections.
“In past elections, our hearts would be beating, and we used to go around begging people to keep the peace.
“But this time, with the Rainbow Coalition and the roads constructed from the airport to Tipper Garage and Gwagwalada, the election is going to be delivered to Tinubu,” he said.
The APC Women Leader in Kuje, Mrs Aishatu Yakubu, assured the minister that women remained important to election mobilisation and were aligned with the Rainbow Coalition.
Yakubu described the establishment of the first Women Affairs Mandate Secretariat in the FCT as a “historic gesture” demonstrating the administration’s commitment to gender inclusion.
She also said she stepped down during the council primary elections to promote party unity and stability, while appealing for political appointments and opportunities for former aspirants.
“We have seen, felt, and touched the dividends of this administration. We are ready to work, but we plead that space be created for women and former aspirants who stepped down for unity,” she said.(NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
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