2027: FCT Secured for Tinubu as APC, PDP Join Forces – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that the territory will support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing growing cooperation between political stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Wike made the statement on Wednesday in Abuja while meeting political leaders and stakeholders from both parties in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC).

The gathering brought together party officials, traditional rulers, women’s groups and youth representatives to discuss development and political cooperation ahead of the next general elections.

Describing the meeting as one of his happiest days, Wike said partisan divisions were giving way to cooperation in the interest of the FCT’s development.

The minister, who coordinates the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the FCT and Rivers State, criticised previous administrations for neglecting the territory’s structural development. He argued that the FCT had witnessed major transformation under Tinubu’s leadership.

Wike cited infrastructure projects, including the Apo-Karshi Road, which he said had stalled for 16 years before progress resumed under the current administration.

He also pointed to the appointment of career civil servants as permanent secretaries and heads of service, alongside the establishment of dedicated women’s and youth secretariats, as examples of the government’s efforts to promote inclusion.

Addressing the country’s economic challenges, Wike defended the removal of the petrol subsidy, describing it as a necessary decision that previous administrations had been unwilling to implement.

He argued that the policy’s effects would have to be endured while the country worked towards economic stability.

Wike also said increased statutory allocations to state and local governments had reduced their dependence on commercial bank loans, creating opportunities for infrastructure development at the grassroots.

Urging voters, particularly young people, to support Tinubu, the minister said the comprehensive campaign council would be inaugurated the following week. He added that logistical arrangements were being made for the campaign and called on eligible voters to use their permanent voter cards to support Tinubu and APC candidates.

The meeting also featured declarations of support from political leaders in the FCT, including representatives of the PDP.

FCT APC Chairman, Ishaku Yamawo, praised Wike for what he described as improvements in the capital’s physical infrastructure and political climate.

Yamawo said political differences had previously prevented some people from maintaining relationships with friends and relatives belonging to opposing parties. He argued that the meeting demonstrated how political affiliations could be set aside to pursue shared interests.

He also commended Tinubu for addressing longstanding concerns of FCT indigenes, including appointing an indigene to a ministerial position and improving infrastructure in communities such as Gishiri and Guzape. He cited road development and monetary compensation among the measures taken.

FCT PDP Chairman, Mohammed Dogara, similarly declared that political hostility between the parties was easing in the territory.

Dogara said development should take precedence over partisan differences and questioned why FCT residents should withhold support from the president if they believed his administration was advancing the territory’s interests.

He added that the PDP structure would mobilise at the grassroots level behind Tinubu by January 16, 2027, urging traditional rulers and community leaders to encourage residents to support development initiatives.

The District Head of Jikoyi, Nicodemus Marchi, also praised Wike’s tenure as FCT minister, describing his arrival as a turning point for stability and development.

Marchi credited the minister with addressing security concerns, reviving abandoned road projects and upgrading traditional titles, including the elevation of some second-class chiefs to first-class status after 29 years.

Meanwhile, Musa Jeji, chairman of the FCT Gbagyi Youth Forum in AMAC, said organised youth associations across the council’s wards were prepared to mobilise support for Tinubu.

Former FCT APC Women Leader, Hilmary Aipoh, commended Wike for establishing the Women Affairs Secretariat and improving rural roads used by farmers.

She described AMAC’s 1,400 polling units as a key focus for the FCT campaign and urged the minister to ensure women were directly involved in the campaign structure.

The meeting underscored efforts by Wike and political stakeholders from both parties to build a common front behind Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.