By Sarah NEGEDU
Politicking towards the 2027 general elections may have begun in the Federal Capital Territory, as the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has warned that Abuja residents would no longer support “fake parties” or elect representatives who lack connection with the people.
Wike, who spoke during a thank-you visit to Bwari Area Council, on Tuesday, said only parties with real structures and candidates who understand communities will be considered in the next political cycle.
Addressing a large crowd, Wike dismissed political platforms outside the ruling APC or main opposition PDP, saying any party unable to win a single councillorship seat has no serious political value in the FCT.
According to him, “A party that cannot win one councilorship is that a party? The ruling party today is APC. The opposition party is our own party, the PDP. All the other ones, I don’t know where they stand.”
The minister also cautioned residents against deceptive political actors whom he described as roadside corn chewers and groundnut-chewers who only show up during campaigns to seek political relevance.
In his words, “We have to be careful. There are those whose duty is to deceive themselves. They now go out to buy corn on the road. They buy groundnut on the road to chew groundnut. What is important is, when they were in office, what did they do?
When they were governor, what did they do? Now they went to IDP camps for birthdays. Nobody can deceive us again.”
After addressing political platforms, Wike turned to representation at the Senate and declared that the FCT will not make the mistake of sending “people who don’t understand them” to represent the territory again.
Though the minister didn’t mention names, he took an obvious swipe at the Senator representing the FCT, when he asked the crowd, “Will you allow yourself to be deceived again? I have said, and I want to say clearly again, we have no business sending somebody to the Senate who does not understand what the people want.
“We are not going to send people who cannot understand you. We are not going to send people who do not know where you are living. We are not going to send people who only read love magazines.”
Wike also linked Bwari’s strong support during the February 21 area council election to future benefits from the federal and FCT administrations.
“On behalf of Mr. President, let me thank you for fulfilling the promise you made to Mr. President. He will also fulfill his own part, and that will be done through me.”
He assured residents of the timely completion of the Bwari to Kubwa Road project, pledging to ensure that the project is completed before the end of 2026.
Earlier, the incumbent chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, aligned fully with the minister’s political direction and assured of the council’s support for Mr President come 2027.
“Mr. President gave us direction, and as obedient followers, we did. Come 2027, we in Bwari will leave no stone unturned to ensure the renewed mandate is restored.”
He also urged Wike to implement the promised projects and appealing for more roads, schools and hospitals beyond 2027 so as to “develop the Bwari of our dream.”
On his part, the chairman-elect, Joshua Ishaku, echoed the message of reinforcing the renewed hope mandate in the FCT. “Mr. Project, you directed us, and as obedient followers we followed you. Come 2027, we in Bwari will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the renewed hope mandate is restored.”
