Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has declared that the territory is set for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election .
Wike stated this during an interactive session with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders and stakeholders in the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) yesterday.
The meeting was also attended by traditional rulers women and youth groups who pledged to work together to mobilise support for Tinubu and other candidates of the APC ahead of the general election next year.
Hailing the attendees Wike said political differences should not prevent stakeholders from pursuing the collective interests and development of the FCT.
The minister who coordinates the APC Presidential Campaign Council in the FCT and Rivers State attributed the territory’s ongoing transformation to Tinubu’s leadership.
Wike cited the Apo-Karshi Road which he said was stalled for 16 years as one of the projects receiving attention under the current administration.
He also highlighted the appointment of career civil servants as permanent secretaries and heads of service as well as the establishment of the Women Affairs and Youth Development Secretariats to address the needs of the two groups.
Defending the removal of fuel subsidy the minister described the decision as a difficult but necessary measure that previous administrations lacked the political will to implement.
‘Every president said it was a scam but nobody had the courage to say it would go. That is the pain we will endure till we get it right’ Wike said.
He stated that increased statutory allocations to state and local governments have reduced their dependence on bank loans and created opportunities for accelerated infrastructure development at the grassroots.
The minister who urged residents particularly youths to support the Tinubu administration advised voters to prioritise leadership with demonstrable achievements.
His words: ‘The comprehensive campaign council will be inaugurated next week. Rest assured that all logistical backing required for a landslide victory has been fully secured.
‘On election day come out with your PVCs cast your votes and ensure total victory for Tinubu and our progressive candidates.’
FCT APC Chairman Ishaku Yamawo commended Wike for what he described as improvements in the territory’s infrastructure and political climate.
Yamawo said the alliance between APC and PDP leaders marked a departure from the hostility that had characterised previous political engagements.
He said: ‘Before now when elections were approaching some of us didn’t talk to our own brothers because they were in the other party.
‘Today we are sitting under the same roof for APC and PDP because somebody has changed the narrative of politics. A political party is not a barrier to partnering with your brother for victory and progress.’
The APC chairman also praised Tinubu for addressing the concerns of FCT indigenes including the appointment of an indigene as a minister and infrastructure projects in communities such as Gishiri and Guzape.
Also FCT PDP Chairman Mohammed Dogara said partisan hostility among political stakeholders in the territory has given way to cooperation.
‘It used to be cats and rats not seeing themselves in the day or night. But today cats and rats can eat on the same plate’ Dogara said.
He stated that there was no reason for FCT indigenes and non-indigenes to reject Tinubu given his focus on development.
The PDP chairman assured that the party’s structure would mobilise at the grassroots in support of the President. He urged traditional rulers and community leaders to encourage their people to support the development agenda.
District Head of Jikoyi Nicodemus Marchi hailed Wike for addressing security concerns and reviving abandoned road projects in the FCT.
Marchi also praised the FCT administration for upgrading traditional rulers’ positions including the elevation of some second-class chiefs to first-class status after 29 years of neglect.
The Chairman of the FCT Gbagyi Youth Forum AMAC Chapter Musa Jeji said youths across the council’s wards were prepared to mobilise support for Tinubu.
He said that organised youth associations were aligned with the campaign expressing confidence in their ability to deliver votes for the President.
Also a former FCT APC Women Leader Hilmary Aipoh commended Wike for establishing the Women Affairs Secretariat and improving rural access roads which she said would benefit farmers.
Describing AMAC’s 4400 polling units as critical to the FCT’s electoral outcome Aipoh urged the minister to ensure greater representation of women in the campaign structure.