Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accused opposition parties and political figures of double standards and persistent hypocrisy concerning the nation’s judiciary.
Wike spoke before a gathering of stakeholders, traditional rulers, and residents during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council on Monday.
The minister addressed critics of court rulings, specifically referencing the judicial verdict that voided the ticket of African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.
He contrasted the opposition’s reactions to different legal outcomes, highlighting how their stance shifts depending on the court’s decision.
“When ADC had a matter in court and won at the Supreme Court, they said, ‘The court is the last hope,’ ‘The court has saved democracy,’ and ‘We know our judiciary will not fail us.’
“But when they lost a court case, it became: ‘The President is using the court to fight the opposition.’ When it is good for you, the judiciary is clear. When it is bad, you claim they are using it to destroy democracy. What kind of system are we operating?” Wike questioned.
Turning to local governance, Wike defended his administration’s policy of providing new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT, a move some political commentators currently criticise.
Dismissing allegations that the vehicles amount to political inducements or bribes, Wike argued that traditional leaders deserve dignity and respect.
“You want a first-class traditional ruler to be walking on the road with a stick in hand, taking public buses so they can get hit by a car one day? But you expect Chief Press Secretaries to Governors, Chairmen, and Presidents to ride SUVs?
“Instead of using their platforms to support good things, critics turn it upside down. We will provide for our traditional rulers, and nothing will come out of their complaints,” he said.
Wike reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to grassroots development, citing transformative infrastructure projects across the satellite towns.
He noted that these projects include the construction of over 270 kilometres of roads, with 95 kilometres completed in Kwali alone.
He stated that ongoing road projects across the satellite towns are nearing completion and will be inaugurated in December.
He encouraged the electorate to reward proven performance by supporting President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Wike called for full support for Tinubu’s re-election and endorsed Sen. Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Mr Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
“I don’t need to preach to you any longer. The one you are seeing is what you follow, not the one that will give you unfulfilled promises. I will go to sleep tonight because I know Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji are 100 per cent for APC,” Wike declared.
The minister also pledged N10 million to each councillor who successfully delivers their political ward to Tinubu and other APC candidates in the FCT.
Wike emphasised that the Rainbow Coalition works for the collective interest of FCT residents and praised its grassroots structure for bridging political divides and promoting effective representation and development.
“The kind of decision the President is taking is not one that other politicians will take, bringing us out from the shadow into reality, and that is what a good leader should be able to do for his people,” Wike said.
Contrasting Tinubu’s inclusive governance with past administrations and listed key achievements under the current administration, including the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of an FCT Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and massive infrastructural upgrades across the satellite towns.
He lamented historical marginalisation, noting that despite a population of six to seven million, the FCT has only one Senate seat and two House of Representatives slots, fewer than smaller states.
“For 50 years, nobody could remember you. The President has changed the narrative, given you your own civil service, allowed you to employ your people, and elevated your traditional stools. You cannot afford to make a mistake in 2027,” Wike warned.
Unveiling his grassroots mobilisation strategy, Wike dismissed critics who claim politics is too expensive and affirmed his commitment to directly empower grassroots supporters, adding that anyone who delivers his ward will get a N10 million reward. Therefore, go and meet your leaders, go and meet your youth groups, go and consult with associations. Let’s deliver our ward to Mr President,” he urged.
Wike also promised to review the salaries of FCT councillors, following a complaint by Mr Gambo Hamza, Chairman of the National Councillors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter.
Hamza said FCT councillors receive N260,000 as a monthly salary and appealed to Wike to intervene.
In his remarks, APC Chairman in the FCT, Mr Ishaku Yamawo, applauded Wike for uniting political stakeholders across party lines and successfully anchoring robust development throughout the territory.
His PDP counterpart, Mr Mohammed Dogara, thanked Wike for his exemplary work in the territory, assuring him of massive support to ensure Tinubu’s victory.
On his part, Dr Aliyu Baka, who spoke on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in the FCT, expressed deep regret over the 2023 electoral missteps, declaring that the coalition was fully prepared to ensure total victory for their candidates and Tinubu.
