FCT Minister Wike holds interactive engagement with AMAC ‘Rainbow Coalition’ stakeholders, cautions against giving votes to political gamblers

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Coordinator for the FCT and Rivers State, APC Presidential Campaign Council, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, has urged residents and the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ stakeholders of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to safeguard their political future by rejecting opportunistic candidates in upcoming elections.

Speaking during an interactive engagement with community leaders, political figures, women, and youth groups in Abuja, Wike declared that the FCT remains firmly aligned behind the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

This was contained in a statement by Rabi Musa Umar, Deputy Director of Press in the office of the Minister.

Warning voters against placing their trust in career politicians who lack a proven track record, the FCT Minister cautioned the electorate to be vigilant against those he described as political gamblers.

While criticizing perennial contenders like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the Minister said, “We have somebody who has run for president eight times. Every time there is a presidential election, the person will run. If you give your political destiny to these people, when they win, the first thing is to recoup everything they have spent. We prefer a President that is tried and tested and not people who play to the gallery”, Wike stated.

Reflecting on the progress made across the territory, the FCT Minister noted that the delivery of key infrastructure stems directly from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bold leadership and enormous support to the FCT Administration.

He recalled that upon assuming office, the administration, following the directive of the President, consulted all six Area Councils to identify their most urgent needs—chiefly security, and road infrastructure. Today, he said, the interventions have yielded tangible results, including the construction of 12 new police stations with residential quarters to enhance security, alongside major road projects across all area councils.

The Minister highlighted AMAC as one of the primary beneficiaries of these development strides, announcing that the long-abandoned Apo-Karshi road will finally be commissioned in November, after 16 years of delay.

He added that the Kagini/Kabba/Zaudna road and at least six other key projects within AMAC were scheduled for commissioning in December, stressing that the administration’s campaign is anchored on visible achievements.

“AMAC is the greatest beneficiary in the FCT. Apo-Karshi road was awarded 16 years ago. By this November, we will commission that road. This December, we are going to commission the Kagini/Kabba/Zaudna road. This December alone, we are going to commission not less than six projects in AMAC. This is the time to show your report card. Our campaign is the projects. Our campaign is to show you what we have done. If you give us support, we will do more”, he stressed.

Addressing national economic reforms, the Minister acknowledged current living costs but reassured residents that ongoing structural adjustments will ultimately yield long-term stability. He pointed to institutional milestones achieved under President Tinubu—including the creation of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of a Head of Service and Permanent Secretaries, and the establishment of Women and Youth Secretariats—as evidence of inclusive governance and career progression for FCT workers.

Outlining the political strategy moving forward, Wike called for total mobilization under a broad cross-party “Rainbow Coalition” in the FCT to secure victory for President Tinubu and legislative candidates such as Senator Philip Aduda and Hon. John Gabaya:

He assured residents that an all-inclusive campaign structure incorporating women, youths, non-indigenes, and traditional institutions will be inaugurated next week to mobilize voters ahead of the January 16 elections.

“As the Coordinator of the campaign here, everything that is required for you will be done. Everything that is required for this election, we are ready. Re-electing the President is a task that must be taken seriously. Everybody must come out with their PVC and vote for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Whatever you are doing that day, you have to make sacrifices. On the 16th of January, be available with your PVC”, the Minister stated.

The Minister also emphasized the strength of the “Rainbow Coalition” in the FCT, where leaders across political lines—including the APC and PDP—have united in a joint effort to support President Tinubu’s re-election alongside legislative candidates such as Senator Philip Aduda and Hon. John Gabaya.

Welcoming the delegation earlier, AMAC Chairman Christopher Maikalangu expressed strong optimism for President Tinubu’s victory in the area council.

State APC Chairman Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo and FCT PDP Chairman Hon. Ismail Mohammed Dogara both commended the FCT Minister for transforming the local political climate, noting that cross-party collaboration has replaced past rivalries because development and community inclusion have been prioritized.

Speaking on behalf of traditional institutions, the District Head of Jikwoyi, in the AMAC, HRH Nicodemus Machi, described the Minister as a “chain breaker” who brought light and security back to the territory after years of darkness.  “You came into the FCT and breathed new life into the territory. We used to have a lantern, but it was under the table—everywhere was darkness. But as you assumed duty in the FCT, you brought light. I passed the Apo-Karshi road and wondered what magic you used to break that stone. You are a chain breaker. For 29 years, we were crying and had nobody to listen to us, but when you came, you declared our chiefs first-class and second-class. Today, we are beginning to enjoy the dividends of democracy”.

Other stakeholders, alongside representatives of women and youth groups, commended the upgrading of traditional chiefdoms and the creation of targeted secretariats, pledging their full support to President Tinubu and the FCT administration.

The high-level engagement was attended by top dignitaries, including Renewed Hope FCT Coordinator Hon. Adamu Candido, APC and PDP state executives, members of the National Assembly, former and serving Area Council chairmen, traditional rulers, and leaders of various civil society organizations across the FCT.