Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has vowed to deliver the FCT and Rivers State to President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing the administration’s infrastructure projects and governance reforms.
Wike made the declaration on Wednesday in Abuja while addressing political stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress and the Peoples Democratic Party in the Abuja Municipal Area Council, AMAC.
The minister, who coordinates Tinubu’s presidential campaign in the FCT and Rivers State, said the administration would rely on its projects and record of performance to seek voters’ support.
“With the grace of God, with the grace of God, FCT is for Tinubu, Rivers is for Tinubu,” he said.
Wike said the administration was focused on demonstrating its achievements rather than campaigning ahead of the election.
“You see, while other people are preparing for election, we are not talking about the election, we are not talking about commissioning of projects, because for us, this is the time of proving your report card. Our campaign is our project. Our campaign is to tell you what we have done. Our campaign is that if you give us the support, we will do more,” he said.
The minister announced that the Apo-Karshi Road, awarded in 2010, would be commissioned in November, ending what he described as a 16-year wait for the project’s completion.
He also said the Kagini, Tunga and Zuba roads would be commissioned in December, alongside at least six projects in AMAC alone.
“By this November, we will commission that road,” Wike said of the Apo-Karshi Road.
“This December, we are going to commission Kagini, Tunga and Zuba roads. In fact, let me assure the people of Amac, let me assure the people of Amac, this December alone, we are going to commission not less than six projects in Amac alone.”
Wike said the administration had extended infrastructure development to the FCT’s six area councils, which he claimed had previously been neglected by successive governments.
According to him, the government consulted traditional rulers, women and youths across the area councils to identify their priorities, including roads and security facilities.
He said the consultations had informed the construction of roads linking communities across the territory, adding that the administration had also built 12 new police stations with residential quarters to strengthen security.
“Today, we have built twelve new police stations with residences in it, where the police people will stay in order to improve our security architecture,” he said.
Beyond infrastructure, the minister highlighted changes in the FCT civil service and the establishment of dedicated secretariats for women and youths, describing them as measures to improve inclusion in governance.
He said civil servants in the territory had previously faced limited opportunities for career advancement, with directors unable to rise to the positions of permanent secretaries or head of service.
Wike credited Tinubu with establishing the FCT Civil Service Commission and creating opportunities for indigenous workers to attain senior positions in the administration.
He also cited the appointment of a head of service and permanent secretaries, as well as the establishment of the Women Affairs and Youth Development Secretariats, as evidence of the administration’s efforts to broaden participation in governance.
The minister further assured FCT indigenes that they would be considered in future appointments, acknowledging their stake in the administration of the territory.
“Sir, let me assure you today, in the next appointment of FCT, you will be included, because you present a good chunk of Nigerians, and so there should be inclusivity as far as FCT is concerned,” he said.
Wike said the reforms were significant because they provided dedicated channels through which women and young people could present their concerns to the government.
He also commended Tinubu for what he described as the political courage to address issues that previous administrations had left unresolved, particularly the demands of FCT indigenes for greater representation and recognition.
The minister’s appeal for support was echoed by political leaders at the meeting, who said the gathering reflected growing cooperation between the APC and PDP in the territory ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Chairman of AMAC, Christopher Maikalangu, expressed confidence in the mobilisation efforts, identifying traditional rulers, indigenous communities and non-indigenes as important stakeholders in the campaign.
FCT APC Chairman, Ishaku Yamawo, said political differences had previously prevented some leaders from working together, but that the situation was changing.
“Before now, when elections were approaching, some of us didn’t talk to our own brothers because they were in the other party.
“Today, we are sitting under the same roof for APC and PDP because somebody has changed the narrative of politics. A political party is not a barrier to partnering with your brother for victory and progress,” he said.
Yamawo also praised Tinubu for addressing grievances among FCT indigenes, citing appointments and infrastructure development in communities such as Gishiri and Guzape.
FCT PDP Chairman, Mohammed Dogara, similarly said political hostility between the parties was giving way to cooperation.
“It used to be cats and rats, not seeing themselves in the day or night. But today, cats and rats can eat on the same plate.
“When Wike came to the FCT, he saw that development is key. What reason do we have as FCT indigenes and non-indigenes to say we are not going to support Mr President? No reason.”
Dogara said the party’s structures down to the grassroots would mobilise support for Tinubu by January 16, 2027, urging traditional rulers and community leaders to guide their people towards development.
The District Head of Jikoyi, Nicodemus Marchi, described Wike’s arrival as FCT minister as a turning point for stability and development in the territory.
Marchi praised the minister for addressing security concerns and reviving abandoned road projects. He also cited the upgrading of traditional rulers from second-class to first-class status after 29 years of neglect.
Chairman of the FCT Gbagyi Youth Forum, AMAC Chapter, Musa Jeji, pledged the support of youth associations across the council’s wards for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Former FCT APC Women Leader, Hilmary Aipoh, also commended Wike for establishing the Women Affairs Secretariat and opening up rural access roads for farmers.
She described AMAC’s 4,400 polling units as a major political battleground in the FCT and urged the minister to ensure women were directly involved in the campaign structure.
Wike’s declaration places infrastructure delivery and political mobilisation at the centre of his efforts to secure support for Tinubu in the FCT and Rivers State ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
