2027: Wike assures FCT natives of inclusion

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has assured the territory’s original inhabitants of inclusion in the next political dispensation.

Wike gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja while speaking in his capacity as coordinator of the FCT Presidential Campaign Council.

He said indigenous people constituted a significant proportion of the population and deserved representation in decision-making.

“In the next appointment of FCT, you will be included, because you represent a good chunk of Nigerians, and so there should be inclusivity as far as FCT is concerned,” he said.

The minister declared that both the FCT and Rivers State would be delivered for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

He said he had been given two assignments: to ensure victory for the President in Rivers State and the FCT.

“With the grace of God, FCT is for Tinubu, Rivers is for Tinubu,” he said.

Wike said the Tinubu administration had addressed long-standing grievances among FCT residents and civil servants.

He noted that before the current administration, FCT civil servants could not rise to the peak of their careers, as no one could become a permanent secretary or Head of Service.

According to him, the President approved the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the position of Head of Service, permanent secretary positions, and the Women and Youth Secretariats to promote inclusivity.

“Today you have a Head of Service, you have a Civil Service Commission that employs Abuja people. We have Permanent Secretaries now. We have a Women Secretariat and a Youth Secretariat. That is inclusivity,” he said.

On rural development, Wike said the administration had consulted traditional rulers, women and youths across the six Area Councils to identify their priority needs, particularly roads and security.

He said the government’s presence was now being felt across the Area Councils, with road projects and 12 new police stations, each with residential quarters, being provided to strengthen security.

He disclosed that the Apo-Karshi Road, awarded in 2010 but abandoned for 15 years, would be commissioned in November.

He added that the Kagini, Tunga Maje and Zuba roads would be commissioned in December, with at least six projects scheduled for commissioning in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) alone.

“While other people are preparing for election, we are talking about commissioning of projects. Our campaign is our projects. Our campaign is to tell you what we have done. If you give us the support, we will do more,” Wike said.