Wike Ties FCT Projects To Support For Tinubu’s Reelection
Dr. Nafisat Makinde, Abuja
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike said Friday he would lead President Bola Tinubu’s reelection campaign in the Federal Capital Territory, arguing that infrastructure projects delivered by the administration could translate into electoral support for the president.
Wike made the declaration while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the ongoing Phase II dualisation of the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road. The statement, signed by Rabi Musa Umar, Deputy Director, Press, Office of the Minister, said preparations by the coalition supporting Tinubu’s reelection were already in place.
Wike said the All Progressives Congress and Tinubu were also ready to commence campaign activities in the FCT.
“For us who are supporting Mr. President, we have put all our machinery ready to fully kick start. Very soon, I will launch the campaign team for Mr. President in FCT, and I will lead the campaign for Mr. President in FCT,” Wike said.
His comments came two days after the formal commencement of public campaigning for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections. The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the elections for Feb. 20, 2027.
Wike, who has served as FCT minister since 2023, linked the administration’s infrastructure programme to Tinubu’s electoral prospects, saying the response from residents along the Kuje-Gwagwalada corridor demonstrated the political value of delivering public projects.
“This is governance; this is what people are expecting, and this is what will translate to actual votes,” he said.
Wike also used the term “rigging” to describe what he presented as the electoral effect of project delivery rather than electoral manipulation.
“The rigging is the project we are doing, and making the people happy,” he said, adding that he expected the projects to generate votes for Tinubu, Senator Philip Aduda and two House of Representatives candidates.
The minister was inspecting work being carried out by Gilmor Engineering on the Kuje-Gwagwalada Road Phase II. He commended the pace of construction and said funds would be made available to enable the contractor to meet a December completion target.
“This is my first time getting to this side of the road, and I can see how highly populated this area is. The contractor, Gilmor Engineering, is doing very well,” Wike said.
He also thanked Tinubu for what he described as sustained support for the FCT Administration, citing the response of residents during the inspection.
“You can imagine the enthusiasm, the happiness on the faces of the people. That is why we are saying that the whole essence of governance is to make people happy,” Wike said.
Wike said he was pleased to be part of the administration and questioned who would challenge Tinubu in the FCT.