Mr Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has accused opposition parties and political figures of double standards and chronic hypocrisy regarding the nation’s judiciary.
Wike spoke before a gathering of stakeholders, traditional rulers, and residents during a Rainbow Coalition stakeholders’ meeting in Kwali Area Council on Monday.
The minister took aim at critics who condemned court rulings, specifically pointing to the judicial verdict that voided the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
Drawing a sharp contrast between the opposition’s reactions to different legal outcomes, he highlighted how their stance changes depending on who wins in court.
“When ADC had a matter in court and won at the Supreme Court, they said, ‘The court is the last hope,’ ‘The court has saved democracy,’ and ‘We know our judiciary will not fail us.’
“But when they lost a court case, it became: ‘The President is using the court to fight the opposition.’ When it is good for you, the judiciary is clear. When it is bad, you claim they are using it to destroy democracy. What kind of system are we operating?” Wike questioned.
Shifting to local governance, Wike defended his administration’s recent policy to provide brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) to first-class traditional rulers in the FCT, currently being criticised by some political commentators.
Dismissing allegations that the vehicles amount to political inducements or bribes, Wike argued that traditional leaders deserve dignity and respect.
“You want a first-class traditional ruler to be walking on the road with a stick in hand, taking public buses so they can get hit by a car one day? But you expect Chief Press Secretaries to Governors, Chairmen, and Presidents to ride SUVs?
“Instead of using their platforms to support good things, critics turn it upside down. We will provide for our traditional rulers, and nothing will come out of their complaints,” he said.
Reassuring residents of the current administration’s commitment to grassroots development, Wike pointed to transformative infrastructure projects across the satellite towns.
Wike noted that the projects included the construction of more than 270 kilometres of roads, with 95 kilometres executed in Kwali alone.
He said that the ongoing road projects across the satellite towns were nearing completion and would be inaugurated in December.
He urged the electorate to adopt the principle of rewarding proven performance with unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu and other All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates in the 2027 general elections.
Wike rallied total support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, while throwing his weight behind Sen. Philip Aduda for the FCT Senate seat and Mr Danladi Chiya for the Abuja South Federal Constituency.
“I don’t need to preach to you any longer. The one you are seeing is what you follow, not the one that will give you unfulfilled promises. I will go to sleep tonight because I know Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Abaji are 100 per cent for APC,” Wike declared.
The minister also promised N10 million for every councillor who successfully delivered their political ward to Tinubu and other APC candidates in the FCT.
Emphasising that the Rainbow Coalition is working strictly for the collective interest of FCT residents, Wike praised the grassroots structure for bridging political divides to champion effective representation and accelerated development.
“The kind of decision the President is taking is not one that other politicians will take, bringing us out from the shadow into reality, and that is what a good leader should be able to do for his people,” Wike said.
Contrasting Tinubu’s inclusive governance with past administrations, the minister reeled off landmark achievements recorded under the current administration.
He identified some of the achievements as the establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, the appointment of an FCT Head of Service, financial autonomy for area councils and massive infrastructural upgrades across the satellite towns.
He lamented historical marginalisation, pointing out that despite a population of six to seven million, the FCT has long been shortchanged with only one Senate seat and two House of Representatives slots compared to smaller states.
“For 50 years, nobody could remember you. The President has changed the narrative, given you your own civil service, allowed you to employ your people, and elevated your traditional stools. You cannot afford to make a mistake in 2027,” Wike warned.
Unveiling his grassroots mobilisation strategy, Wike dismissed critics who call politics too expensive, affirming his commitment to empowering foot soldiers directly.
“Any councillor that delivers his ward will get N10 million reward. Therefore, go and meet your leaders, go and meet your youth groups, go and consult with associations. Let’s deliver our ward to Mr President,” he urged.
Wike also promised to look into salaries of councillors in FCT, following a complaint by the Chairman of the National Councilors Forum of Nigeria, FCT Chapter, Mr Gambo Hamza.
Hamza had revealed that councillors in FCT receive N260,000 as monthly salary and appealed to Wike to intervene.
In his remarks, APC Chairman in the FCT, Mr Ishaku Yamawo, applauded Wike for uniting political stakeholders across party lines and successfully anchoring robust development throughout the territory.
His PDP counterpart, Mr Mohammed Dogara, thanked Wike for his exemplary work in the territory, assuring him of massive support to ensure Tinubu’s victory.
On his part, Dr Aliyu Baka, who spoke on behalf of Rainbow Coalition stakeholders in the FCT, expressed deep regret over the 2023 electoral missteps, declaring that the coalition was fully prepared to ensure total victory for their candidates and Tinubu.
