Wike Assured Tinubu Will Sweep FCT Votes In 2027

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will safe electoral victory within the FCT.

Wike said this throughout his end-of-year dwell media chat in Port Harcourt, the place he addressed questions on governance in Abuja, land administration controversies, opposition politics, and the ruling occasion’s prospects forward of the 2027 common elections.

When requested to justify his declare that President Tinubu will win the FCT and that space councils will go to the APC, contemplating that not all residents are happy with latest developments, the minister argued that voters assess leaders by tangible outcomes.

“How do you help candidates?” Wike requested, including “You help candidates primarily based on what your occasion is ready to do. Whether or not you want Asiwaju as an individual or not shouldn’t be the difficulty. The query is, what has he carried out to alter the FCT?”

He acknowledged that not all residents could be happy with authorities insurance policies however argued that it’s not possible to please everybody.

“He can’t do something for everyone. It’s not doable. Even when he stays there for 20 years, it might be tough,” Wike stated.

Wike maintained that electoral victories, notably on the space council stage, depend upon demonstrable achievements.

He stated, “Immediately, if I’m supporting an space council chairman, I should have a motive to say, vote for this individual. Why would they vote for him? They vote for him as a result of you’ll be able to level and say, ‘See what you will have carried out.’ That’s the fact.”

Whereas addressing criticisms surrounding land and lease administration within the FCT, Wike admitted that some choices taken by his administration had generated dissatisfaction, particularly amongst elite pursuits, however insisted such actions have been vital to revive order and equity.

He stated, “There are particular choices you’re taking that won’t be acceptable to everyone. If you take a call that impacts the elite, clearly folks will complain. However somebody has come to make a change, and that change will have an effect on some pursuits.”

Utilizing the River Park and Polo Houses dispute for instance, Wike defined that expired agreements and violations of land-use rules knowledgeable authorities motion.

“Polo Houses doesn’t have any settlement with the FCT. “Ordinarily, if we go strictly by the foundations, no matter they’re doing won’t stand,” he stated.

He famous that whereas the federal government cancelled sure certificates of occupancy, it moved to guard Nigerians who had already invested within the property by issuing direct C of Os to them.

Wike stated, “We should shield Nigerians who already purchased property. That’s the essence of presidency.

“Take a look at the choice the President took about subsidy removing. It’s a powerful determination. Who’s benefiting from it? States now have extra money to supply for his or her folks,” the minister careworn.

On nationwide politics, Wike dismissed claims that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) poses a severe menace to the APC, arguing that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stays the one opposition platform able to mounting a reputable problem.

He stated, “If there must be any opposition that will give APC a struggle, it ought to have been PDP. I don’t know the place persons are saying ADC is rising. Point out one state the place they’re rising.”

He careworn that politics stays largely native and structure-driven, “Each politics is native. Irrespective of the sum of money you will have, with out construction, it is going to be very tough.”

Wike additional famous that whereas PDP could face challenges on the presidential stage, it nonetheless retains energy in states and native governments the place occasion buildings and management confidence stay intact.

“You will need to differentiate. PDP could not win the presidency, however that doesn’t imply PDP can’t win states,” he defined.

He described 2026 as a crucial political 12 months, with occasion primaries approaching, and urged political actors to arrange successfully.

“So that you can win, you should put your own home so as. We’ve spent two years speaking about infrastructure, safety and sanitation in Abuja. Now politics is right here,” wike stated.

Wike nevertheless insisted that efficiency in each city and rural communities would decide voter decisions.

“Go to the agricultural areas. See how votes are arising in every single place. Folks vote primarily based on what they see,” he added.