…APC, PDP leaders unite in Gwagwalada, pledge support for Tinubu, Aduda
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike, has taken a swipe at politicians opposing the Rainbow Coalition, saying those criticising the political alliance lack the capacity to unite even their families and communities.
Wike said the coalition, which brings together political stakeholders across the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was established in the interest of unity, cooperation and development in the Federal Capital Territory.
The minister spoke on Monday during the commissioning of the Gwagwalada Civil Centre and an interactive session with stakeholders of the Gwagwalada Area Council APC/PDP in Abuja.
Commending political leaders in the area for putting aside their differences, Wike said their decision to work together had demonstrated that the collective interest of the people was more important than individual political ambitions.
He said, “Some greedy and selfish politicians do not understand what we call unity. They have no capacity to hold their space, they have no capacity to even hold their families, and they have no capacity to hold their communities. So they can open their mouths and say there is no Rainbow Coalition.”
The minister challenged those criticising the alliance to explain why political leaders who previously disagreed could not come together to pursue common interests.
He described the development in Gwagwalada as a positive departure from the politics of confrontation, insisting that the FCT needed cooperation rather than unnecessary political hostility.
Wike also urged residents not to repeat what he described as the mistake of the 2023 general elections, calling for credible representation at the National Assembly.
He said the FCT needed representatives who understood the problems confronting residents across the six area councils and could effectively communicate their demands to the Federal Government.
Questioning the quality of representation, he asked whether the senator representing the territory understood the challenges of Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Kwali, Abaji and the Abuja Municipal Area Council.
He specifically canvassed support for former Senator Philip Aduda and other candidates endorsed by the coalition, saying political representatives must be accessible and familiar with their constituents.
Wike also declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, urging residents to mobilise at the grassroots and translate their political endorsements into votes in 2027.
“On the day of the election, it will not be a day for market or fishing. It is the day all of us have decided to come together and demonstrate our strength through our votes. Go to the polling units, districts and communities and mobilise the people to vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Earlier, the FCT APC Chairman, Hon. Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, described the gathering as historic, saying Wike’s political intervention had brought together leaders who previously operated on opposing sides.
He said political leaders who had never regarded themselves as brothers because of party differences were now sitting together and agreeing to work under one political platform in Gwagwalada.
Yamawo also commended the minister for reducing political tension in the area, noting that campaigns had become more peaceful, without the destruction of vehicles and other violent incidents previously associated with political activities.
Similarly, the FCT PDP Chairman, Hon. Alhaji Ismaila Mohammed Dogara, praised Wike for his development interventions, particularly the revival of a project abandoned for 16 years in Gwagwalada.
Dogara said the coming together of political leaders across party lines demonstrated the minister’s commitment to building cooperation among stakeholders.
The Aguma of Gwagwalada, His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji, also commended Wike for his contributions to the development of the territory, saying the revival of the abandoned project underscored the importance of continuity in governance.
In his welcome address, the Chairman of Gwagwalada Area Council, Hon. Kassim Mohammed, listed road projects executed by his administration in Gwagwalada metropolis, Tungan Wada, Abum-pe and other communities.
He thanked Wike for approving the establishment of a one-inch chip facility in Gwagwalada but appealed for intervention on the road linking the Army checkpoint to the Specialist Hospital.
Former Gwagwalada Area Council Chairman, Hon. Zakari Angulu Dobi, recalled that the Civil Centre was almost 80 per cent completed when he left office but suffered vandalism during the 16 years it remained abandoned, reducing its completion level to about 40 per cent.
He commended the incumbent chairman for reviving the facility, describing its completion as a victory for residents irrespective of their political affiliations.
Also speaking, Hon. Adamu Mustapha Danze urged FCT residents to reciprocate the attention given to the territory by Tinubu and Wike through their votes in 2027.
The Gwagwalada Area Council Women Leader, Hajia Hajara Abdullahi, assured Wike of women’s support for Tinubu, Aduda and other APC candidates, while appealing for the establishment of a cottage hospital to complement existing healthcare facilities.
The Gwagwalada Youth Leader and Special Assistant to the council chairman, Inuwa Guzo, also pledged the support of youths across the APC and PDP blocs for the Rainbow Coalition.
He appealed for the rehabilitation of the Gwagwalada football stadium, which he said had been abandoned for more than 25 years.
