I Can Beat My Chest, FCT Is For APC – Wike Counters Kingibe
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has declared that the Federal Capital Territory is firmly in the camp of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
Wike made the declaration on Thursday while inspecting ongoing road projects across the nation’s capital, including the Apo-Karshi and Gwarinpa-Kubwa corridors.
The minister attributed his confidence to the infrastructure projects being executed by the FCT Administration under President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the delivery of visible projects would influence residents’ political choices.
“I can beat my chest, close my eyes, and sleep with my two eyes closed that President Tinubu and APC candidates will win FCT in 2027,” Wike said.
He maintained that the performance of a government should be measured by its impact on the lives of citizens, insisting that the administration had moved beyond promises to deliver tangible projects.
“If good governance is the barometer to measure whether a government has succeeded or not, then we have nothing to fear,” he said.
Wike also challenged opposition parties seeking to make inroads into the FCT to present their records to residents rather than relying on campaign promises.
“What will those who are coming tell the people? They will tell them stories. But we have not come with stories; we have come with facts, verifiable facts,” the minister stated.
His remarks came amid a political disagreement with the Senator representing the FCT, Ireti Kingibe, who had accused him of attempting to intimidate her and influence her political future.
Wike rejected the allegation, arguing that Kingibe’s concerns were linked to what he described as her poor performance as a federal lawmaker.
“Nobody is intimidating her. Rather, she has intimidated herself by not performing. It is her non-performance that is causing her intimidation,” he said.
The minister questioned the senator’s legislative record and community engagement, asking how frequently she had visited satellite towns, consulted traditional rulers or raised issues affecting FCT residents on the floor of the Senate.
“How many times has she gone to the satellite towns to consult with the residents or traditional rulers? How many times has she spoken on the floor of the Senate to highlight the problems facing FCT? How many times has she come up with bills to address Abuja’s challenges?” Wike asked.
On infrastructure development, Wike said the Apo-Karshi road project, which had suffered delays under previous contractors, was now progressing after the contract was revoked and re-awarded to SCC.
He said the project was expected to be completed and handed over in November, while the Gwarinpa-Kubwa road corridor is scheduled for completion in December.
Wike said the pace of construction would increase as the rainy season subsides, noting that the FCT Administration had initially promised to deliver 10 projects before the 2027 elections but was now executing more than planned.
“We promised 10 projects before elections, but from what we are seeing, we are delivering far more,” he said.
The minister described the projects as gifts to FCT residents while defending the administration’s recent demolitions in the Central Business District.
He maintained that the FCT Administration would continue enforcing the territory’s master plan and would not be swayed by appeals against structures it considers illegal.
