Rainbow Coalition Can End Political Hostility, Violence – Wike

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has urged political leaders across the country to embrace the Rainbow Coalition model, saying cooperation between members of different political parties can end hostility, violence and needless divisions during elections.

Wike said the political arrangement, which brings together stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had promoted peace and political stability in the FCT and Rivers State.

He spoke yesterday during an interactive engagement with political leaders, traditional rulers, women and youths in Kuje Area Council of the FCT.

According to him, the experience of the coalition had shown that political differences should not prevent leaders from working together in the interest of the people.

“If Nigerian politics can come to this level, we will not be hearing about fighting; we will not be seeing ourselves killing each other,” Wike said.

The minister explained that the coalition was founded on cooperation and collective decision-making, stressing that politicians from different parties could pursue common political objectives without abandoning their individual identities.

He said the model was also being replicated in Rivers State, where members of the APC and PDP were working together under the coalition.

Wike said candidates emerging from the arrangement would enjoy the support of stakeholders across party lines, citing former FCT Senator Philip Aduda as an example.

He said Aduda’s support base went beyond the PDP, adding that the essence of political representation was to remain connected to the people and understand their challenges.

The minister also cautioned residents against repeating what he described as the political mistakes of the 2023 elections, urging them to consider accessibility, accountability and performance when choosing their representatives.

He questioned the level of engagement between the current FCT senatorial representation and residents, alleging that the incumbent had not sufficiently interacted with communities to understand their needs.

Wike contrasted this with Aduda’s relationship with his constituents.

“Aduda knows them. Aduda knows when they have problems. Aduda knows when they are sleeping, and Aduda knows when they are crying. That is the essence of representation,” he said.

He urged residents not to entrust their future to what he described as political gamblers, insisting that electoral choices should be based on verifiable performance rather than promises.

The minister also called on stakeholders to sustain political cooperation ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying the coalition was designed to bring leaders together to pursue common interests and promote development.

On infrastructure, Wike assured residents that the road project linking the Airport Road–Tipper Garage corridor to Gwagwalada would be completed and commissioned by December.

He recalled that traditional rulers in Kuje had identified the road as one of their major priorities during an earlier visit, asking the administration to address the deteriorated route before presenting other demands.

According to him, the first phase of the project had already been commissioned, with Vice President Kashim Shettima representing President Bola Tinubu during activities marking the administration’s third anniversary.

“Let me assure you, to the glory of God, by the end of December, we will also commission the one that leads to Gwagwalada,” he said.

Wike urged residents to compare the condition of the road before the project with its current state, saying the intervention was part of efforts to improve connectivity and living conditions in satellite communities.

The Hakimi Agwai of Kuje, Shuibu Pada, assured the minister that the people of Kuje would reciprocate the administration’s interventions with their votes.

He appealed to Wike to extend road construction to communities in the interior of the area council, particularly routes linking Rubochi, Kwali and other neighbouring settlements.

Pada said while the ongoing projects had improved access along major corridors, several communities away from the major routes were still in need of government attention.

Also speaking, Senator Jibrin Usman Wowo said political stakeholders in Kuje had consulted widely and resolved to support President Bola Tinubu and the APC in the forthcoming elections.

He said the consultations involved women, youths, elderly residents and traditional rulers, adding that the community was prepared to demonstrate its appreciation of the administration’s interventions through electoral support.

“Honourable Minister, I want to assure you that we in Kuje Area Council have sat down and agreed that Kuje people are going to vote APC from top to bottom,” Wowo said.

The FCT APC chairman, Tanko Yamawo, commended the administration’s infrastructure projects and political engagement, saying the coalition had encouraged APC and PDP leaders to work together.

Yamawo described the willingness of political stakeholders from both parties to sit at the same table as a significant development in the political environment of Kuje.

He added that improved road infrastructure had eased movement between Kuje and neighbouring communities.

The FCT PDP chairman, Ismaila Dogora, also commended Wike for promoting political unity in the territory, saying the coalition had created an atmosphere where politicians could campaign without violence.

“Like we have been telling you, our people are ready to pay you back. You have done enough for the people of FCT,” Dogora said.

He said several demands that previously forced residents to embark on street protests had been addressed through the administration’s provision of infrastructure and other amenities.

The Kuje Women Leader, Aishatu Yakubu, commended the administration for recognising the role of women in political mobilisation but called for greater inclusion of women in governance and decision-making.

She also appealed for additional road projects to communities across the area council.

Earlier, the Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Samuel Shekwolo, commended Wike for what he described as his “responsible and giving” leadership and for uniting indigenous and non-indigenous communities in the territory.

Shekwolo said the minister had changed the narrative about Kuje, where young people previously felt the area had little prospect of development beyond its association with the correctional facility.

He praised Wike’s work ethic and said the political landscape in the area had changed significantly, with members of the opposition and ruling coalition now working together.

Shekwolo said the “marching order” had already been given, urging residents to vote on January 16, 2027, for President Tinubu, Senator Philip Aduda and Dablandi Chiya.

He said the people had every reason to reciprocate the administration’s interventions through their votes.