Despite the PDP’s victory in the Gwagwalada Area Council during the February 21st council elections, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has declared the council a stronghold for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting the area remains politically aligned with the administration at the centre.
Recall that the PDP defeated the ruling All Progressives Congress in Gwagwalada, making it the only one out of the six area councils where the party secured victory.
But the minister during a thank-you visit to the Gwagwalada on Wednesday, told residents that the newly elected chairman, Kasim Ikwa, though a PDP member, would operate under what he called a “rainbow coalition” in support of the President.
Wike who said the victory was inconsequential to the wider political direction of the council under his watch said, “Let me tell you, yes, Kasim won under the platform of PDP, but it’s a rainbow coalition. Kasim will support Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Wike said to loud cheers from the crowd.
He said the turnout in Gwagwalada reflected clear loyalty to the President and vowed to brief him directly on what he witnessed.
“I will go back and tell Mr President what I have seen. Gwagwalada is a no-go area. Gwagwalada is a no-go area,” he told the gathering.
Wike also warned residents against repeating past mistakes of electing lawmakers who, in his words, are disconnected from the constituency.
“We are not going to vote again for people who don’t know where Gwagwalada is. People who don’t know where Zuba is. All they do is sit and read Love Magazine. We are not going to make that mistake again.
“You must choose somebody that will go to the National Assembly to represent you; somebody you know, someone who understands the people of Gwagwalada.”
He hinted that the council already knew the preferred candidate and promised to return at the appropriate time to make his position clear.
“So, I choose him. I will come back later and tell you by myself since you already know,” he said.
The minister also used the visit to announce key development decisions for the area, including the approval of a third-class chieftaincy for the Gwari people of Gwagwalada.
“But let me say the one I will do now, you can be sure that I approve the chieftaincy of third class for the Gwari people of Gwagwalada.”
On the long-standing water crisis in Zuba, Wike gave a direct assurance that the matter would be addressed urgently.
“You have talked about water. I feel so bad that you don’t have water in Zuba. What I will tell you is that you should consider it done,” he said.
Wike commended residents for electing Kasim, describing him as a hardworking leader whose popularity reflects the will of the people.
“I commend and respect the people of Gwagwalada for choosing Kasim as your chairman. This is the voice of the people. Kasim is a very hardworking man and I will work with him to ensure that we provide infrastructure to Gwagwalada,” he said.
He urged the chairman-elect to identify priority projects immediately after assuming office, noting that not all issues could be tackled at once.
“After your inauguration, sit down with your people and identify the projects that are most important. All the problems cannot be solved at the same time, so choose the ones that are most critical,” he advised.
Wike also described politics as a reciprocal process, telling residents that their support during the elections would be returned with concrete development.
“Politics is like an agreement. If you do for me, I do for you; you fall for me, I fall for you; you push me, I push you. When we came we said vote for us, and you have done it. So, it is our own duty now to pay you back.”
He praised the massive turnout at the event, describing the Gwagwalada reception as the best of his council visits so far.
Ikwa, in his remarks, thanked the minister and urged residents to unite behind the shared goal of developing the council now that electioneering is over.
