*L-R: Nyesom Wike and Atiku Abubakar.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has mocked former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his repeated attempts to become Nigeria’s president, describing him as a perennial contender for the nation’s highest political office.
Wike took a swipe at Atiku while urging residents of the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) to reject what he called political opportunists and support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The minister spoke during an interactive engagement with members of the AMAC ‘Rainbow Coalition’, comprising community leaders, political stakeholders, women and youth groups in Abuja.
“Somebody has run for president eight times. Every time there is a presidential election, the person will run,” Wike said, in an apparent reference to Atiku.
He cautioned voters against entrusting their political future to politicians without a proven record of performance, arguing that some candidates might focus on recovering campaign expenses if elected.
“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,” he said.
Wike, who coordinates the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the FCT and Rivers State, also urged residents to support Tinubu’s administration, citing ongoing infrastructure projects and institutional reforms in the territory.
He said the FCT Administration had consulted the six area councils upon his assumption of office to identify their priority needs, particularly security and road infrastructure.
According to him, the interventions have included the construction of 12 police stations with residential quarters and the execution of major road projects across the territory.
Highlighting projects in AMAC, Wike announced that the long-delayed Apo-Karshi Road would be commissioned in November, while the Kagini-Kabba-Zaudna Road and at least six other projects in the area council were scheduled for commissioning in December.
“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,” he said.
“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,” the minister added.
On the economy, Wike acknowledged the high cost of living but expressed optimism that the ongoing structural reforms would deliver long-term stability.
He also cited the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of a Head of Service and permanent secretaries, and the creation of women and youth secretariats as evidence of efforts to strengthen governance and promote inclusion.
The minister called for the mobilisation of voters across party lines under the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ to support Tinubu’s re-election and the candidacies of Senator Philip Aduda and House of Representatives member John Gabaya.
He said an inclusive campaign structure involving women, youths, non-indigenes and traditional institutions would be inaugurated the following week ahead of the January 16 elections.
“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,” Wike said.
Earlier, the AMAC Chairman, Christopher Maikalangu, expressed confidence in Tinubu’s electoral prospects in the area council.
The state APC Chairman, Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, and the FCT PDP Chairman, Ismail Mohammed Dogara, commended Wike for promoting cooperation among political stakeholders, saying development and community inclusion had helped bridge party divisions.
The District Head of Jikwoyi, Nicodemus Machi, also praised the minister for what he described as improvements in infrastructure, security and the recognition of traditional institutions.
Other stakeholders, including representatives of women and youth groups, pledged support for the FCT Administration and Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
The meeting was attended by APC and PDP officials, members of the National Assembly, serving and former area council chairmen, traditional rulers and civil society representatives.