In a massive show of political solidarity, stakeholders, leaders, and party members of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have formally endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in office ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The endorsement was announced on Saturday during a high-profile Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates, organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja, spearheaded by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
The gathering brought together traditional rulers, political leaders, area council chairmen, indigenous communities and residents, who endorsed Tinubu for a second term, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT senatorial seat; Hon. Don Gabaya for Abuja North Federal Constituency; and former Bwari Area Council Chairman, Danladi Chiya, for Abuja South Federal Constituency.
Describing the move as historic, Wike urged political actors across the country to emulate the FCT’s cross-party approach and adopt the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ model to foster unity and ensure national progress.
‘Today, we give honour, we give glory to Almighty God, who has made everything possible for us today by giving wisdom to the Abuja stakeholders assembly to mobilize various individuals and residents of Abuja to make history by coming out in their numbers to endorse His Excellency Ahmed Bola Tinubu for the presidential election taking place 16th of January, 2027,’ Wike stated.
Wike challenged supporters of President Bola Tinubu to translate their political endorsement into votes in the January 16, 2027 election, insisting that every stakeholder must deliver their polling unit, ward, local government and state.
Addressing the mammoth crowd comprising leaders from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and other political platforms, Wike noted that the FCT had learned vital lessons from the 2023 electoral outcomes.
‘We shall never make the mistake we made in 2023. Are we going to make the same mistake? No! Are we going to make the same mistake? No!’ Wike declared to enthusiastic applause.
He said, ‘In 2023, we made a mistake, but I thank God that when you realize your mistake, you correct it. Is it not? To err is human, to forgive is divine’.
Wike praised the collaborative spirit of the FCT leadership, area council chairmen, traditional rulers, women groups, and youth organisations for burying party lines to champion developmental governance under President Tinubu’s administration.
Highlighting the essence of political loyalty and performance, Wike charged the electorate: ‘Let me tell you one thing in politics: you vote for somebody who knows you, somebody who cares for you, somebody who knows when you have a problem, who can fight for you’.
During the assembly, the FCT leadership endorsed former Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda to return to the Senate representing the FCT.
Additionally, Dr Zephaniah Jisalo and Hon. Micah Jibrin were endorsed to fly the flag for the House of Representatives seats covering Abuja’s constituencies.
Wike emphasised that the Tinubu administration had broken records by institutionalising inclusive governance, noting landmark structural milestones such as the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, which has renewed the hope for career progression among civil servants.
He said: ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu created the youth secretariat. Bola Ahmed Tinubu created the women’s secretariat. It has never been there; this is the first time. Bola Ahmed Tinubu established the FCT Civil Service Commission.
‘Today, civil servants can rise. Their hope has been renewed… You only retire as a director; none of them could aspire to be permanent secretary or head of service. But through the grace of God, through Ahmed Bola Tinubu, today, they can aspire to be permanent secretaries; they can aspire to be head of service’.
He also commended the Area Council Chairmen for putting aside partisan differences for development.
‘When I came on board, irrespective of the political party, all of us agreed to work for the progress, to work for the improvement of the Federal Capital Territory. If the Area Council chairmen did not support us, if there was no cooperation, it would have been very difficult,’ Wike acknowledged.
Directly charging the youth, women, and party chieftains, the Minister stressed that loyalty must translate to grassroots electoral victory rather than mere empty claims.