By Emma Peter, Abuja
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike, has directed the immediate assessment of the Kuje–Kwaku–Yenche–Rubochi–Abaji Road following an appeal by political leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Kuje Area Council.
Wike gave the directive during an interactive stakeholders’ session of the Rainbow Coalition in Kuje, where the Executive Chairman of Kuje Area Council, Hon. Danjuma Samuel Shekwolo, played host to the Minister and other political leaders.
The Minister directed that an assessment of the road be conducted immediately and the report submitted without delay, raising hopes for improved road connectivity and economic activities across the affected communities.
The meeting brought together political stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), traditional rulers, youth representatives, women leaders and other community figures to discuss political cooperation, development and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Welcoming the Minister and other dignitaries, Shekwolo said Kuje was the first area council to welcome the Rainbow Coalition and establish its office, describing the initiative as a platform for promoting political unity and collective action in the interest of residents.
He explained that the gathering was organised to sensitise the people of Kuje on the political direction ahead of the 2027 elections, while expressing appreciation to Wike for his leadership and contributions to the development of the area council.
The chairman particularly acknowledged the Minister’s role in the appointment of the Mandate Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, as well as ongoing infrastructure projects across the FCT.
He commended Wike for road construction and improvement projects, including the Airport Road–Tipper Garage corridor and the Tipper Garage–Gwagwalada route. He also praised the administration for upgrading traditional institutions through the elevation of traditional rulers to first-class and second-class status.
Shekwolo said the Rainbow Coalition had encouraged cooperation among APC and PDP leaders in Kuje, creating an avenue for political stakeholders to work together despite their party affiliations.
According to him, the prevailing unity among political actors in the area would strengthen the APC’s chances in the 2027 elections, as stakeholders had embraced collective decision-making and a common political direction.
The FCT APC Chairman also commended Wike for promoting what he described as a more peaceful political atmosphere in the territory.
He observed that the current environment had encouraged political engagement without the attacks on individuals and properties that had characterised some previous political activities.
He added that cooperation between APC and PDP stakeholders under the Rainbow Coalition was intended to advance the development of the FCT, urging political leaders to sustain the partnership and work towards greater electoral success for the APC.
Similarly, the PDP FCT Chairman acknowledged Wike’s contributions to the territory, noting that residents were benefiting from the foundation laid through previous and ongoing development initiatives.
He appealed to the Minister to give priority attention to the Kuje–Kwaku–Yenche–Rubochi–Abaji Road, stressing its importance to communities and residents who depend on the route for transportation, commercial activities and access to essential services.
The PDP chairman also called on residents and political stakeholders to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Distinguished Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda, CON, and Bayani in the 2027 elections, describing such support as a way of reciprocating the administration’s contributions to the FCT.
The youth leader in Kuje, Alhaji Abubakar Gude, expressed appreciation to Wike for his developmental initiatives and assured the Minister of the support of young people ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gude disclosed that youth campaign groups were being organised to mobilise support across communities in the area council. He also commended the Minister for establishing a youth secretariat, which he said would provide a platform for engagement, representation and the consideration of issues affecting young people.
In her remarks, Hon. Aisha Yakubu praised Wike for his commitment to development and the establishment of a women’s secretariat to strengthen women’s participation in political and public affairs.
She urged the Minister to ensure that women were adequately represented in political and developmental activities, while also appealing for urgent intervention on the Kuje–Kwaku–Yenche–Rubochi–Abaji Road.
The Hakimi of Agoi, who spoke on behalf of traditional rulers, also commended the Minister for his contributions to FCT development and expressed confidence in the political direction being pursued by stakeholders in Kuje.
The traditional ruler aligned with earlier speakers on the need to address the road project, describing the route as important to residents and communities that rely on it for their daily activities.
He also highlighted Senator Aduda’s electoral record in Kuje Area Council, stating that the senator had never lost an election in the area.
Speaking on behalf of political stakeholders, Distinguished Senator Usman Jibrin Wowo expressed appreciation to Wike for his leadership and developmental achievements.
Wowo said the people of Kuje had sufficient reasons to support the APC, adding that political stakeholders had collectively resolved to mobilise support for the party’s candidates across elective positions in the 2027 general elections.
He assured the Minister of the stakeholders’ commitment to the political collaboration and the success of the party.
Addressing the gathering, Wike charged Senator Aduda to remain committed to defending and advancing the interests of FCT residents, stressing the importance of effective representation and a clear understanding of the challenges confronting the territory.
The Minister also emphasised that the Rainbow Coalition had created an atmosphere in which political stakeholders in Abuja and Rivers State could cooperate and openly support the APC.
He urged residents to avoid what he described as the political mistakes of 2019, calling on them to make strategic choices in the 2027 elections.
Wike endorsed support for Aduda, arguing that the senator’s experience and familiarity with the challenges facing FCT residents placed him in a strong position to represent their interests.
He cautioned voters against being swayed by promises that might not translate into tangible benefits, urging them instead to assess candidates based on their understanding of the people’s needs and their capacity to deliver.
The Minister also highlighted the achievements recorded by his administration during his time in office and assured residents that development would continue if he was given another opportunity to serve.
The road assessment directive emerged as one of the major outcomes of the stakeholders’ meeting, following repeated appeals by political leaders, women representatives and traditional rulers for urgent attention to the route.
The Kuje–Kwaku–Yenche–Rubochi–Abaji corridor is considered important to communities along its route, with stakeholders expressing hope that the Minister’s directive would lead to further action towards improving transportation and connectivity.
The meeting ended with renewed assurances from political stakeholders to mobilise support for President Tinubu’s re-election, Senator Aduda’s return to the Senate to represent the FCT, and Hon. Danladi Chiya’s bid to represent the Abuja South constituency in the House of Representatives in 2027.
