By Seun Ibiyemi
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at politicians criticising the Rainbow Coalition, declaring that those opposing the political alliance lack the capacity to unite even their families and communities.
Wike also intensified efforts to mobilise political support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, urging Nigerians and political stakeholders across party lines to embrace the coalition as a platform for national unity, cooperation and sustainable development.
The minister spoke on Monday during the commissioning of the Gwagwalada Civil Centre and a town hall meeting in Gwagwalada, Abuja, attended by traditional rulers, area council chairmen, political leaders, youth groups and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The engagement formed part of Wike’s ongoing political consultations across the six area councils of the FCT ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He described the Rainbow Coalition as a strategic political arrangement bringing together political leaders and supporters from different parties to promote cooperation, strengthen grassroots participation and broaden support for Tinubu’s administration.
Faulting those questioning the existence and relevance of the coalition, Wike accused some politicians of placing personal interests above collective political and national development.
“Some greedy and selfish politicians do not understand what we call unity. They have no capacity to hold their space, they have no capacity to even hold their families, and they have no capacity to hold their communities. So they can open their mouths and say there is no Rainbow Coalition,” he said.
According to the minister, Nigeria requires a political movement that prioritises good governance, performance and citizens’ welfare rather than allowing party affiliations to prevent cooperation among political leaders.
He argued that governance should be measured by its ability to improve people’s lives, adding that political differences should not prevent leaders from coming together to address common challenges.
“What is governance? Making the people happy. Never in the history of the FCT have you seen all of us sitting together like this—not to fight, not to break heads, but to discuss with understanding for the interest of the FCT and the unity of our people,” he said.
Wike maintained that political leaders must remain accessible to their constituents and demonstrate effective representation through regular consultations with communities, traditional institutions, youths and other stakeholders.
Taking a swipe at the current pattern of political representation in the FCT, the minister urged residents not to repeat what he described as the mistake of the 2023 general elections.
He questioned whether members of the National Assembly representing Abaji, Bwari, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Kwali and the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) had adequately engaged their constituents, drawing negative reactions from the audience.
He insisted that elected representatives should not restrict their engagement with voters to election periods but maintain regular contact with the people to understand and address their challenges.
The minister cited APC senatorial candidate, Senator Philip Aduda, and other grassroots political leaders as examples of politicians who maintain relationships with their constituents.
He subsequently urged residents to support Aduda at the polls.
On infrastructure and community development, Wike commended the Gwagwalada Area Council chairman for his efforts, recalling previous requests for the completion of important roads, including those leading to Zuba.
He said the FCT Administration had responded to some of the demands, stressing that development projects should benefit communities irrespective of their political affiliations or geographical locations.
The minister also directed relevant officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to address concerns raised by youths over abandoned community projects and the shortage of recreational facilities and community centres.
He instructed the officials to identify suitable locations for facilities that would provide opportunities for youth development, educational activities and community engagement.
Wike further called on residents across the six area councils to mobilise massively for the 2027 general elections, describing Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as instruments through which citizens could determine their political future.
He urged eligible voters to prioritise participation in the elections, regardless of their economic and social activities on election day.
“That day will not be a day for farming. It will not be a day for the market. It will not be a day for fishing. It is the day all of us have decided to carry our voters’ cards—our power—and mobilise every father, mother and youth to go out and cast their votes,” he said.
Wike reaffirmed his commitment to working with political stakeholders across party lines to mobilise support for Tinubu, maintaining that political unity, effective governance and visible development should drive the coalition.
Earlier, the FCT APC Chairman, Ishaku Yamawo, described the gathering as historic, saying Wike’s political intervention had brought together leaders who previously operated on opposing sides of the political divide.
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Yamawo said political leaders who had not previously regarded themselves as brothers because of party differences were now sitting together and agreeing to work under a common political platform in Gwagwalada.
He also commended the minister for reducing political tension in the area, noting that political campaigns had become more peaceful, without the destruction of vehicles and other violent incidents previously associated with political activities.
Similarly, the FCT PDP Chairman, Ismaila Dogara, praised Wike for his development interventions, particularly the revival of a project that had reportedly been abandoned for 16 years in Gwagwalada.
Dogara said the coming together of political leaders across party lines demonstrated the minister’s commitment to promoting cooperation among political stakeholders.
The Aguma of Gwagwalada, Muhammadu Magaji, also commended Wike for his contributions to the development of the territory, saying the revival of the abandoned project underscored the importance of continuity in governance.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Kassim Mohammed, highlighted road projects executed by his administration in Gwagwalada metropolis, Tungan Wada, Abum-pe and other communities.
Mohammed also pledged to support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
