States have been advised to adopt the Rainbow Coalition model to promote political cooperation, peace and stability, with FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, citing its impact in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State.
Wike said the arrangement had brought leaders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, together, arguing that political differences should not lead to violence or prevent leaders from working for the common good.
Speaking during an interactive engagement with political leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths in Kuje Area Council, the minister said the coalition had demonstrated that politicians from opposing parties could share a political platform and pursue common objectives.
According to the minister, “If Nigerian politics can come to this level, we will not be hearing about fighting; we will not be seeing ourselves killing each other.”
He explained that the arrangement was intended to make political competition more peaceful, adding that public office holders should prioritise the interests of the people over religious, partisan or personal considerations.
According to him, the model was already operating in the FCT and Rivers State, where APC and PDP members could openly participate in the same political arrangement.
Wike said the coalition was built on collective decision-making and shared responsibility, adding that its candidates would have the backing of stakeholders across party lines.
He maintained that the arrangement would also allow political leaders to work together in support of President Bola Tinubu, rather than allow party differences to undermine governance.
The minister also took aim at the FCT’s current senatorial representation, accusing the incumbent of failing to engage adequately with communities in Kuje to understand their concerns.
He urged residents not to repeat what he described as a mistake in the 2023 elections, insisting that the choice of representatives should be guided by accessibility, accountability and a record of service.
Wike questioned whether the incumbent senator had visited Kuje to meet stakeholders and establish the challenges facing residents, arguing that representation meant maintaining a close relationship with constituents.
The minister said President Tinubu had directed him, upon his appointment, to visit satellite towns and engage residents directly rather than remain in his office.
He recalled visiting Kuje to interact with traditional rulers, youths, women and other stakeholders, adding that their concerns had helped shape the administration’s infrastructure priorities.
Wike assured residents that the road linking the Airport Road–Tipper Garage corridor to Gwagwalada would be completed and commissioned by the end of December.
Wike said the first phase of the project had been commissioned, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima representing President Tinubu during activities marking the administration’s third anniversary.
“Let me assure you, to the glory of God, by the end of December, we will also commission the one that leads to Gwagwalada,” he said.
Earlier, the Hakimi Agwai of Kuje Area Council, Shuibu Pada, pledged the area’s bloc votes, saying residents would reciprocate the administration’s interventions with electoral support.
He, however, appealed to the minister to extend road construction to communities in the interior of the area council, including routes connecting Rubochi, Kwali and neighbouring settlements.
The FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, commended the administration’s infrastructure programme and political engagement, saying the coalition had encouraged APC and PDP leaders to work together.
He described the willingness of political stakeholders from both parties to sit at the same table as a significant development in Kuje’s political environment.
Yamawo also said improved roads had eased movement between Kuje and neighbouring communities, expressing confidence in continued cooperation among political stakeholders.
The FCT Chairman of the PDP, Ismael Dogora, also credited Wike’s leadership with fostering political unity, saying the current campaign environment had been marked by cooperation rather than the clashes and vehicle destruction associated with previous political activities.
On her part, the Kuje Women Leader, Aishatu Yakubu, commended the administration for recognising women’s contributions to political mobilisation but called for greater inclusion of women in governance and decision-making.
She also appealed for additional road projects to address the needs of communities across the area council.
Similarly, the Kuje Area Council Chairman, Samuel Shekwolo, praised Wike for bringing indigenous and non-indigenous communities together under a common political platform.
Shekwolo recalled that residents had previously felt neglected, with some young people believing Kuje was known mainly for its prison because of the lack of development.
He said the minister’s interventions had helped change that perception, adding that the political landscape had shifted to the point where members of rival parties now worked together.
