By Our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has approved the procurement of brand-new Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) for newly upgraded traditional rulers in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The FCT Minister, Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, disclosed this on Saturday, October 31, 2026, during the Rainbow Coalition Stakeholders Rally and unveiling of FCT National Assembly candidates organised by the FCT Stakeholders Assembly at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja.
Wike said the presidential gesture was in recognition of the important roles traditional rulers play in preserving cultural heritage and maintaining peace in their communities.
He noted that Tinubu had also approved the upgrading of traditional stools in the FCT after the exercise had remained stalled for 27 years, adding that the vehicles would be delivered before December.
“Mr President has said that you cannot just answer royal fathers by mouth. You cannot just answer royal fathers by entering Keke Napep. You cannot answer royal fathers by entering Okada. All of you, by the grace of God, before December, you will go with your SUV cars,” the minister said.
The rally attracted traditional rulers, chairmen of the six Area Councils, leaders of indigenous communities, youth and women groups, as well as political party leaders, including the APC and PDP chairmen in the FCT.
Participants endorsed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, alongside Senator Philip Tanimu Aduda for the FCT Senate seat, Hon. John Gabaya for Abuja North and Hon. Danladi Chiya for Abuja South Federal Constituency.
Charging supporters to translate the endorsements into votes ahead of the January 16, 2027 election, Wike declared a grassroots mobilisation drive tagged “Operation Deliver Your Polling Unit”.
He urged political leaders and supporters to ensure victory at their respective polling units, wards and local government areas, warning against claiming overall victory when they had failed to deliver their polling units.
“I don’t want to hear: I lost my polling unit, but we won. If you lose your polling unit, don’t say we won because you never contributed to the victory. So, everybody go home, it’s Operation Deliver Your Polling Unit,” he said.
The minister attributed the administration’s achievements in the FCT to Tinubu’s support and collaboration among the Area Council chairmen.
He listed the completion of 30 inherited projects, award of 76 new projects, establishment of the FCT Civil Service Commission, and creation of the Youth and Women Secretariats among the achievements. He also cited the FCT’s exit from the Treasury Single Account (TSA).
Wike, who expressed confidence in Aduda’s prospects in the 2027 election, said the senator had identified with his constituents and demonstrated concern for their welfare.
He also questioned the performance of the incumbent senator, asking whether he had convened meetings with constituents or sponsored bills addressing issues affecting the FCT.
To strengthen youth mobilisation ahead of the election, the minister announced that Tinubu had approved four buses for FCT youths. He fixed November 10 for an interactive session with young people across the six Area Councils.
He further promised a separate engagement with persons with disabilities, stressing that disability does not mean a lack of capacity.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (North-Central), Abiodun Essien, said the Federal Government had completed 164 kilometres of roads in the North-Central region and 1,207 kilometres nationwide.
Essien commended Wike for making the President’s presence felt in the FCT through infrastructure development.
Other stakeholders, including the FCT Renewed Hope Ambassador, Abdullahi Adamu Candido, and the FCT APC Chairman, Tanko Yamawo, described Wike’s appointment as a blessing to Abuja.
Responding on behalf of the FCT National Assembly candidates, Aduda thanked Tinubu and Wike for their support for institutional reforms and pledged effective representation.
The President of the FCT Stakeholders Assembly, Dr Aliyu Daniel Bakna Kwali, said the organisation had set a target of mobilising one million votes for Tinubu and the Rainbow Coalition candidates in the 2027 elections.
