BY AHMED AKANBI
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has slammed politicians opposing the Rainbow Coalition, saying they lack capacity to unite their families, let alone their communities.
Wike said the coalition, bringing together stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was formed to promote political cooperation and advance interests of FCT residents.
He spoke Monday during commissioning of Gwagwalada Civic Centre and interactive session with APC and PDP stakeholders in Gwagwalada Area Council.
He commended leaders in the area for setting aside party differences to work together, saying collective interest must take priority over individual ambitions.
”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,” he said.
He challenged critics to explain why politicians from opposing parties cannot come together to pursue common interests.
Wike described cooperation in Gwagwalada as a departure from the politics of confrontation, insisting FCT needs unity, not needless hostility.
On 2027 general elections, he urged residents not to repeat what he called the mistake of 2023, calling for better representation at National Assembly.
He questioned whether the senator representing FCT understands the challenges facing residents of Gwagwalada, Kuje, Bwari, Kwali, Abaji, and AMAC.
He urged residents to support former Senator Philip Aduda and other candidates endorsed by coalition, saying representatives must be accessible and understand constituents’ needs.
Wike also declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, urging leaders to mobilise voters at grassroots.
”On election day, 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 polling units, districts and communities and mobilise people to vote for Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
Earlier, FCT APC Chairman, Ishaku Tanko Yamawo, described gathering as historic, saying Wike’s intervention brought together leaders who were once rivals.
Similarly, FCT PDP Chairman, Ismaila Mohammed Dogara, praised Wike for reviving a project abandoned for 16 years in Gwagwalada.
The Aguma of Gwagwalada, Alhaji Muhammadu Magaji, also commended Wike, saying the revival of the abandoned project showed the importance of continuity in governance.