Rainbow Coalition Model Brought Peace, Political Stability to FCT, Others Should Emulate — Wike

…Says APC, PDP leaders now work together for development

…Promises completion of Airport Road–Gwagwalada project by December

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has urged other states to emulate the Rainbow Coalition model, saying the initiative has promoted political cooperation, peace and stability in the FCT and Rivers State.

Wike said the coalition had demonstrated that politicians from different parties could work together in the interest of the people, rather than allow partisan differences to fuel hostility, violence and political division.

Speaking during an interactive engagement with political leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths in Kuje Area Council, the minister said the experience in the FCT showed that political competition did not have to translate into conflict.

“If Nigerian politics can come to this level, we will not be hearing about fighting; we will not be seeing ourselves killing each other,” Wike said.

He explained that the coalition had brought politicians from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) together to pursue shared political objectives, despite their differences.

According to him, the model was also being implemented in Rivers State, where politicians from both parties could participate in the same political arrangement.

Wike said the initiative was built on cooperation and collective decision-making, adding that candidates emerging under the arrangement would have the backing of stakeholders across party lines.

He cited former FCT Senator Philip Aduda as an example, saying his political support extended beyond the APC to members of the broader coalition.

The minister said the arrangement was intended to encourage inclusive representation and ensure that political office holders remained accountable to the people.

Wike also warned residents of Kuje against repeating what he described as a political mistake in the 2023 elections, arguing that voters should prioritise accessibility, accountability and performance when choosing their representatives.

He questioned the relationship between the FCT’s current senatorial representation and residents of the territory, alleging that the incumbent had not adequately engaged communities to understand their challenges.

The minister contrasted this with Aduda’s relationship with constituents, saying effective representation required a senator to understand the everyday experiences of the people.

“Aduda knows them. Aduda knows when they have problems. Aduda knows when they are sleeping, and Aduda knows when they are crying. That is the essence of representation,” he said.

Wike urged residents not to entrust their future to politicians he described as “political gamblers”, insisting that electoral decisions should be based on demonstrable records rather than promises.

He also called for greater political cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the coalition’s approach was aimed at bringing leaders together to advance common interests.

On infrastructure, the minister assured residents that the road project linking the Airport Road–Tipper Garage corridor to Gwagwalada would be completed and commissioned by the end of December.

He recalled that traditional rulers in Kuje had identified the road as a priority during one of his earlier visits, asking the administration to address its poor condition before presenting other demands.

Wike said the first phase of the project had been commissioned, with Vice-President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Tinubu during activities marking the administration’s third anniversary.

“Let me assure you, to the glory of God, by the end of December, we will also commission the one that leads to Gwagwalada,” he said.

He urged residents to compare the road’s former condition with its current state, describing the project as part of efforts to improve connectivity and living conditions in the FCT’s satellite communities.

Wike maintained that the coalition’s approach was intended to demonstrate that political differences should not prevent leaders from working together to address the needs of their constituents.

He urged stakeholders to sustain the cooperation, stressing that development and effective representation should remain central to political engagement.

However, the Hakimi Agwai, Kuje Area Council, Shuibu Pada, assured the minister of Kuje block votes, saying, with what he has done for Kuje, they will reciprocate the kind gesture with their votes. He appealed to the minister to extend road construction to communities in the interior of the area council, including routes connecting Rubochi, Kwali and other neighbouring settlements.

He said the ongoing projects had improved access along major corridors but stressed that communities away from those routes also required government attention.

Earlier, Senator Jibrin Usman Wowo expressed support for President Tinubu and the APC, saying stakeholders in Kuje had consulted and agreed to back the party in the forthcoming elections.

He said the consultations involved women, youths, elderly residents and traditional rulers, adding that the community was prepared to demonstrate its appreciation of the administration’s interventions through electoral support.

“Honourable Minister, I want to assure you that we in Kuje Area Council have sat down and agreed that Kuje people are going to vote APC from top to bottom,” Wowo said.

The FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, also commended the administration’s infrastructure programme and political engagement, saying the coalition had encouraged APC and PDP leaders to work together.

He described the willingness of political stakeholders from both parties to sit at the same table as a significant development in Kuje’s political environment.

Yamawo also said improved roads had reduced travel difficulties between Kuje and neighbouring communities, while expressing confidence in the coalition’s continued cooperation.

Also speaking at the event, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman, FCT Chapter, Ismael Dogora said like the chairman said in his speech, this is the first time we are campaigning in FCT and no smashing of cars is recorded anywhere because there is unity in FCT, courtesy the Honorable Minister, Federal Capital Territory. Like we have been telling you, our people are ready to pay you back. You have done enough for the people of FCT. You have done a lot of things that we were always on the streets protesting, asking for the federal government to give, today nobody goes out for protest and you’ve given us those amenities and the benefit for people of FCT.

In her remarks, Kuje Women Leader Aishatu Yakubu commended the administration for recognising women’s contributions to political mobilisation but called for greater inclusion of women in governance and decision-making.

She also appealed for additional road projects to address the needs of communities across the area council.

In his welcome address, the Kuje Chairman, Samuel Shekwolo commended the Honorable Minister for being a truly responsible and giving father who successfully united all FCT indigenous and non-indigenous communities under one umbrella. Reflecting on how hope and focus in the Kuje Area Council had previously been lost with young men believing the area was only ever designated for a prison station due to a lack of development Shekwolo emphasized how the Minister completely changed that narrative.

He praised the Minister’s workaholic drive and highlighted that the local political landscape has shifted so profoundly that opposition and ruling coalition members now stand together in unity.

Declaring that the marching order has already been given, Shekwolo urged everyone to head to the polls on January 16, 2027, to vote solidly for the President, Senator Philip Aduda, and Dablandi Chiya, stating that the people have every reason to honor their commitments.