Backs Aduda, Gabaya on APC platform
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From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on residents and indigenes of the territory to support President Bola Tinubu and candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections, insisting that the administration’s development projects should be reciprocated at the polls.
Wike made the appeal at a political gathering in Bwari Area Council, where he rallied support for Tinubu’s re-election bid and endorsed former Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the Senate and John Gabaya for the House of Representatives, urging political stakeholders across party lines to unite behind the candidates.
The minister, who also praised former House of Representatives member Julius Adeamusi for stepping down from the race in support of a preferred candidate, said the political realignment was necessary to strengthen unity and secure victory for Tinubu and other APC candidates.
According to him, political parties should be regarded as vehicles for achieving public objectives rather than obstacles to cooperation.
“It doesn’t matter the party. After all, party is a vehicle that conveys you to where you are going. When you get there, you drop down from the vehicle and you now work for the interest of the people,” Wike said.
He urged FCT voters to assess political representatives by their accessibility and their response to the needs of their constituents, questioning whether the incumbent senator had adequately engaged communities across the territory.
“Today, the people of FCT, do you feel the impact? Do you feel the presence of the senator representing FCT today?” he asked, before presenting Aduda as a candidate he said understood the concerns of the people.
Wike also asked residents whether they would repeat what he described as the mistake of 2023, when political differences and competing interests shaped electoral choices in the territory.
The minister’s appeal came amid efforts to consolidate an emerging political alliance involving members of the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) in the FCT.
He attributed the administration’s projects and policy decisions in the territory to Tinubu’s backing, saying the President’s approval had enabled him to deliver on commitments to residents.
“All these things you are saying Minister is doing is because the President is the one giving me support, is the one giving the approval. That’s why everything is working out well,” he said.
Wike cited improvements in road infrastructure and the recognition of traditional institutions among the administration’s interventions, announcing that the Bwari-Kubwa road would be ready for use by Christmas.
“Let me authoritatively tell you today, by the grace of God, this December you will do Christmas on this road, Bwari to Kubwa,” he said.
He assured residents that he would not make promises he could not fulfil, adding that the President’s support had been instrumental to the implementation of projects across the territory.
The minister subsequently urged the gathering to mobilise voters for Tinubu and the APC candidates, warning party members against what he called political gamblers.
“We are going to work with President because we have seen what he has done for Bwari. We have seen that President means well,” he said.
In a significant political development at the gathering, Wike announced that he would recommend Julius Adeamusi to Tinubu for appointment as head of the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (FCT UBEB).
He said Adeamusi had agreed to step down from the last Area Council election contest to support Joshua in the interest of political unity in Bwari.
Recounting their discussions, Wike said he had appealed to Adeamusi to withdraw from the race to prevent division within the political camp supporting Tinubu.
“He did not waste time. He said, ‘Sir, anything you tell me to do, as far as it’s for the interest of the people of Bwari, as far as it will unite the team of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I’m ready to do it.’ Instantly, he stepped down,” the minister said.
Wike added that Adeamusi’s father had also endorsed the decision and pledged that his son would support Joshua.
“Immediately I leave here, I will write a statement to Mr President for appointment. He will be the man I will recommend to Mr President for him to be in charge of FCT UBEB,” he said.
The proposed appointment would, however, require the relevant presidential approval and completion of any applicable appointment procedures.
The Etsu Bwari praised the FCT administration for what he described as improvements in infrastructure and the recognition of traditional institutions, pledging the support of traditional rulers for Tinubu and APC candidates.
He said residents had witnessed changes in the territory, particularly in road construction, while drawing attention to other routes in need of intervention.
The traditional ruler specifically appealed for attention to sections of the old Kubwa and old Gwagwa routes.
Similarly, APC FCT Chairman Tanko Yamawo commended Wike for promoting cooperation among politicians in the territory, saying the emerging alliance could benefit political stakeholders beyond the candidates being supported.
Yamawo said Bwari residents were prepared to support APC candidates in 2027, citing the minister’s development projects and the political accommodation of former rivals.
The PDP FCT chairman also expressed support for the political realignment, describing the Renewed Hope Coalition in the territory as an initiative that had brought politicians together across party lines.
He urged Wike to convey the message of support from FCT political stakeholders to Tinubu, saying the administration’s projects had become visible to residents.
Bwari Area Council Chairman Joshua, in his welcoming remarks, credited the minister’s previous political mobilisation with helping him secure his position, pledging continued support for Wike’s directives.
He said residents could see and feel the impact of ongoing projects and expressed confidence that the administration’s promises would be fulfilled.
The gathering underscored efforts by Wike and political stakeholders in the FCT to consolidate support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 elections, with roads, traditional institutions, political appointments and cooperation across party lines featuring prominently in their appeals.
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