FCT Minister Nyesom Wike Calls on Tinubu Supporters to Deliver Votes Ahead of 2027 Election

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike addressed a gathering of traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen, indigenous groups and other residents at the Old Parade Ground in Abuja on Saturday. Speaking at the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Meeting and the unveiling of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) National Assembly candidates, Wike warned supporters of President Bola Tinubu that public endorsements must be matched by concrete voting effort at the grassroots level for the upcoming 16 January 2027 election.

Wike emphasized that every party member must secure results at every administrative level, from the individual voting booth to the state, and warned against declaring success without having played a role at the ballot box. He warned against making the same blunders seen in the 2023 general election, arguing that the upcoming 2027 vote provides a chance to fix previous shortcomings.

The meeting also served to endorse Tinubu for a second term and to present the FCT candidates: Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the Senate seat, Hon. John Gabaya represents the Abuja North Federal Constituency, while Danladi Chiya, the former Bwari Area Council Chairman, stands for the Abuja South Federal Constituency. Wike praised Aduda, calling him a “son, father and friend” of the people, and questioned the incumbent senator’s engagement with constituents.

Background

The Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Meeting was organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, bringing together six area council chairmen, traditional rulers and various community groups. The event reflected a broader political strategy in the Federal Capital Territory, where the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) seeks to consolidate support for President Tinubu’s re‑election bid. Wike, a former governor of Rivers State and a senior figure in the APC, highlighted the President’s recent interventions in the FCT, including infrastructure projects and the upgrading of traditional institutions that had reportedly been neglected for 27 years.

The minister stated that the Tinubu government has authorized the gifting of SUVs to traditional rulers, with the handover set for December 4, and has backed the creation of the FCT Youth Development Secretariat, the Women Affairs Secretariat, and a Civil Service Commission. Wike also highlighted the cooperative efforts of the six area council chairmen, who worked together across party lines, which he credited for improvements in both the city center and the satellite towns.

Why it matters

The minister’s directive aims to boost grassroots mobilization, which is crucial for securing Tinubu’s victory in the FCT, a significant voting bloc in the national contest. By urging stakeholders to secure votes at the polling‑unit level, Wike is attempting to translate elite endorsements into measurable voter turnout. The emphasis on delivering votes also reflects concerns that the 2023 election saw gaps in voter mobilisation, which the administration wishes to avoid.

Support for Senator Aduda is another focal point, as the minister framed the senatorial race as a test of representation and accountability. By questioning the incumbent senator’s accessibility, Wike sought to sway voters toward Aduda, potentially influencing the balance of power in the Senate.

The announced provision of SUVs for traditional rulers and the creation of new secretariats signal continued federal investment in the FCT, which may bolster Tinubu’s appeal among local elites and ordinary residents alike.

What happens next

The next major milestone is the 16 January 2027 presidential and legislative election, where the effectiveness of Wike’s mobilisation drive will be measured. The scheduled presentation of SUVs to traditional rulers on 4 December provides a concrete timeline for one of the promised interventions. Stakeholders are expected to continue coordinating through the FCT Stakeholders Assembly as the election approaches, with further candidate campaigning and voter outreach likely in the weeks leading up to the poll.